Gender and Sustainable Development (OECD Report March 6, 2008)
Just in time for International Womens Day, the OECD issued a report on March 6, entitled
Gender and Sustainable Development: Maximizing the Economic, Social and Environmental Role of Women.
The report echoes the themes discussed at the conference on Women Entrepreneurs in Africa, held in Capetown this February (see earlier post of March 10), namely that sustainable development can only be achieved through long-term investments ineconomic, human and environmental capital. It points out that the female halfof the world’s human capital is undervalued and under-utilised the worldover and that the potential contributions of women to economicadvances, social progress and environmental protection – have beenmarginalised. It maintains that better use of the world’s female population couldincrease economic growth, reduce poverty, enhance societal well-being,and help ensure sustainable development in all countries. It notes, however, that closing thegender gap depends on enlightened government policies which take genderdimensions into account. The report is based on datathat pertains primarily to the situation of women in OECD countries, but theinsights and policy implications are applicable to all countries. Thereport illustrates how gender mainstreaming in statistics, studies andstatutes can lead to more sustainable government policies and a betterworld economy.
Gender and Sustainable Development: Maximizing the Economic, Social and Environmental Role of Women.
The report echoes the themes discussed at the conference on Women Entrepreneurs in Africa, held in Capetown this February (see earlier post of March 10), namely that sustainable development can only be achieved through long-term investments ineconomic, human and environmental capital. It points out that the female halfof the world’s human capital is undervalued and under-utilised the worldover and that the potential contributions of women to economicadvances, social progress and environmental protection – have beenmarginalised. It maintains that better use of the world’s female population couldincrease economic growth, reduce poverty, enhance societal well-being,and help ensure sustainable development in all countries. It notes, however, that closing thegender gap depends on enlightened government policies which take genderdimensions into account. The report is based on datathat pertains primarily to the situation of women in OECD countries, but theinsights and policy implications are applicable to all countries. Thereport illustrates how gender mainstreaming in statistics, studies andstatutes can lead to more sustainable government policies and a betterworld economy.
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