Inputs for WBG Gender Strategy: IDA CSO Forum “Gender and IDA in a New Era of Development”

                         20 April 2023, The World Bank Group HQ and virtual

On April 20, 2023, the World Bank held the Spring 2023 International Development Association (IDA)
Forum with civil society partners themed IDA and Development in a New Era. Key takeaways and
questions posed by attendees on the topic of the 2024-2030 WBG Gender Strategy are summarized
below and will be considered in the development of the Strategy.

Overall, CSO partners are concerned that challenges in achieving gender equality are worsening, with
gaps widening and deepening. Partners suggested the World Bank consider the need for sustained
investments in gender data systems, and how to ensure gender is not further sidelined in view of the
financing cliff.

Comments from:

   •   CARE International
   •   International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
   •   Oxfam International
   •   Sightsavers
   •   Stimulate Africa


Suggestions and Insights:
    • The World Bank could use its strategic position to accelerate the vision of gender equality by:
            o Making gender equality an organizational priority across the Bank’s portfolio.
            o Matching the scale of the ambition that is needed to advance gender equality by
                shifting its approach towards women’s justice and rights, ensuring that macro-level
                structures are equitable.
            o Working together with civil society and women’s rights organizations, recognizing them
                as leaders and experts. For the WBG’s new gender strategy this means establishing
                systematic consultation and on-going dialogue with civil society globally.
    • Additionally, participants recommended a stronger framing on the importance of the care
        economy that centralizes care as the engine of economies, beyond a means to increase female
        labor force participation.
    • Participants suggested sustained investments in sustainable gender data systems alongside
        building the capacity of IDA country teams on gender so that gender is integrated and tracked
        across all priorities. A key instrument includes time use measurement.
•   The WBG could work to shift the mindsets of policy makers in client countries to increase
    demand for gender equality.
•   Participants encouraged the WBG to make gender equality essential to the green transition,
    increase the focus on care work and ensure this is evident in the Evolution Roadmap.
•   The WBG could consider establishing clear criteria for leveraging private finance—whether and
    when it is appropriate based on the impact and risks of harm and structural exclusion.
•   Participants shared additional questions on how the WBG could address period poverty and
    taxation on menstrual hygiene products as well as how the IDA gender special theme could
    support the World Bank's commitments around disability inclusion and mainstreaming.