Comments on World Bank gender strategy: Addressing religious roles

“Yet achieving gender equality is uniquely challenging and complex. It calls for changes
spanning country laws and policies, public and private sector activities, and personal
lives.” WBG Gender Strategy 2024-2030: Accelerate Gender Equality for a Sustainable,
Resilient and Inclusive Future builds on the Bank’s evolving and deepening approaches to the
many links between gender and development. It is heartening to see the breadth of analysis and
proposals for positive initiatives and commitments.

The document has a notable gap and would be strengthened with efforts to address what may be
one of the most significant dimensions of both theory and practice affecting gender norms and
practice: religious roles.

The document is almost devoid of references to and analysis of religious dimensions of both
gender norms and frameworks as well as more formal religious roles, for example in situations
where family law is de jure or de facto addressed in a religious context. Religious factors are
barely mentioned, only as examples in cases that are somewhat dubious (Guinea, Niger, Haiti,
Bangladesh, Nigeria).

The analysis of how, when, and where religious teachings and influence contribute to negative
norms and practices (abuse, tolerance of GBV, SEA/SH) and positive change is highly complex
and deeply dependent on context. Acting to address these complexities may not be the World
Bank’s forte, though undoubtedly in some instances dialogue and engagement are likely to be
feasible and productive. However, failure to address religious roles including positive and
negative dimensions and initiatives to address them is a large gap.

Religious ecosystems are large and at least as diverse and complex as “the private sector”, but
the prominent example of direct (civil society) and indirect (via member governments) pressures
and influence on gender issues at the United Nations, centered on “family” issues , is significant,
for example taking the form of opposition to GBV. Happily there are positive examples, notably
on family planning and education of girls. Navigating these influences should be part of strategic
engagement on gender.

Suggestions:

- include references to the diverse and important roles of religious teachings, global influence,
positive and negative, including references to some of the literature on the topic. (Box 2.1 for
example). There is substantial literature on the topic.
- more robust examples of positive and negative. Afghanistan and Indonesia examples abound.
In Bangladesh education and progress towards girls’ enrollment is linked to Alia Madrasa
actions. Religious engagement in family planning has positive examples including in the high
fertility West African region and Kenya.
- A commitment to engage strategically with religious bodies that include the Vatican, Muslim
leadership at country and regional level, and, more difficult, some of the “doubters” who overtly
and actively oppose gender reforms (Family Watch International, parts of the Vatican and
WEA). Positive allies include Indonesian institutions and the World Council of Churches.
To cite a specific example, this extract from a very recent speech highlights the “third rail”
nature of varying perceptions about family and “family values”:
From speech at the opening session of the Sant’Egidio annual gathering in Berlin, September 10,
2023, Ahmed Al Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar; he is citing major obstacles to global progress:

“Second point: the injustice against the family as humanity has known it since the time of Adam,
peace be upon him, which disfigures its nature and puts the future and rights of children at stake,
in addition to the orientations that religions refuse, warning of their danger, and that this wrong
path will inevitably lead to the extinction of the human race. ” 1

Places where elaboration would be desirable:

Box 2.1 The Policy arena

A more robust and nuanced analysis of experience in the Sahel (even looking pre coups):

‘The Sahel Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend project seeks to accelerate the
demographic transition by empowering women and adolescent girls in Sub Saharan Africa. It has
been testing, iterating, and replicating innovations such as creating safe spaces for adolescent
girls, promoting their life skills and entrepreneurial mindset, supporting their access to menstrual
hygiene and reproductive health services, and engaging husbands and “future husbands” on
issues such as sexual and reproductive health and rights. Framing narratives included publicizing
the contributions of women’s and girls’ empowerment to the demographic dividend, community
well-being, and human capital. The project mobilizes local religious leaders, teachers, midwives,
policymakers, and influencers to support a shift in mindsets and norms. “

In Niger, World Bank analysis revealed how gender norms, high rates of child marriage, low
educational attainment for girls, and limited access to reproductive health services contribute to
Niger’s high fertility rate and limited economic opportunities for young women. These findings
advanced policy dialogue, which involved community influencers and local leaders who are key
enforcers of existing norms. Reforms included the establishment of local and national structures
and plans to discourage child marriage, enhanced access for adolescent girls to sexual and
reproductive health services and lifting of restrictions on the education of married or pregnant
girls. The broad coalition built through these efforts helped spur an ambitious, 15-year
multiphase agreement with the World Bank and the Global Financing Facility to scale reform
implementation across Niger. “


SEA/SH Sexual abuse and Exploitation, Sexual Harassment

A report cited: Maruo, Mirai, Diana Arango, Ariana Grossi, and Manuel Contreras Urbina.
(2023). Addressing Gender-Based Violence to Accelerate Gender Equality. Forthcoming, World
Bank Gender Thematic Notes Series. World Bank.

No references to religious factors beyond sparse mentions.


1   My translation from Italian.
Katherine Marshall
Executive Director, World Faiths Development Dialogue (WFDD)
Professor of the Practice, Georgetown University, Senior Fellow Berkley Center for Religion,
Peace, and World Affairs
And World Bank 1971-2006