The report asserts that the lack of accountability to women adversely affects poverty reduction and development. Accountability as a concept is about ensuring that decision-makers and power-holders answer to those who are affected by their actions. The report also takes the standpoint that the lack of structural accountability has directly resulted in the international community’s failure to fulfilling its commitments to women.
The report analyzes several areas of development affecting women: politics, services, markets, justice, aid and security. The report includes policy guidelines and recommendations in each area of analysis.
In the area of politics, the report asserts that political accountability to women necessitates strong representation, in which temporary measures such as reserving political seats for women support the engagement of women in the political arena. Men hold more elected positions than women at a rate of 4:1, and in developing countries it will take 40 years before gender parity in governance is reached. Women in power are more inclined to ensure that issues affecting gender and development are addressed. Policy recommendations in this area include reforming and equipping public institutions with the incentive, information and capacity to address the needs of women.
Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009 has special significance as it comes at a time when the world is marking the midway point of the MDGs. MDG achievements thus far include advancements in education. The gender gap in primary school employment has shrunk in most regions of the world, with Latin America, the Carribean, and East Asia and the Pacific reaching gender parity. However, enrolment rates in secondary education remain lower.
Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009 reflects on the progress that has been made, but it is also a reminder that there is more to be done.
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Progress of the World’s Women 2008/2009: Who Answers to Women? Gender and Accountability
