07/03/2006 - Gender equality has come a long way since International Women’s Day was first celebrated in Europe in 8 March 1911, but a new OECD database (www.oecd.org/dev/institutions/GIDdatabase) shows deeply rooted social norms and traditions still harming women’s economic opportunities in many countries around the world.

Practices that discriminate against women, from forced marriages and female genital mutilation to restrictions on inheritance and ownership rights, stand in the way of gender equality and economic development. More funding for development will be effective only if the causes of discrimination are dealt with. New classrooms, for example, will make no difference for gender equality if girls are simply not allowed to enter them.  

To help governments choose policies that will be effective in assisting economic growth, the OECD Development Centre has created a Gender, Institutions and Development Database (GID). Compiled from various sources, the data base gives comparative data for 162 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, on the socio-economic status of women. By identifying cultural and traditional practices that discriminate against women, it highlights the need for institutional and legal reforms. 

For further comment, journalists are invited to contact Johannes Jütting in the OECD Development Centre (tel. + 33 1 4524 8725). 

DAC work in the area of gender equality is carried out primarily through the Network on Gender Equality (GENDERNET), formerly the Working Party on Gender Equality. See here for its mandate.

GENDERNET is the only international forum which brings together gender experts from bilateral and multilateral development agencies to define common approaches, share good practice, innovative ideas and state-of-the-art research on gender related topics. Civil societies are also invited to contribute to activities and participate in events that the network organises.

Progress towards gender equality and women's empowerment is vital for improving economic, social and political conditions in developing countries.  The knowledge, insight and experience of both women and men are required if development is to be effective, sustainable and truly people-centred. Gender equality requires specific measures at the macro, meso and micro levels in order to propel gender-responsive actions into development work. 

GENDERNET provides strategic support to DAC members to take gender equality into account in development policies and practices. It actively contributes a gender equality perspective to work conducted by other DAC subsidiary bodies, e.g. on conflict, peace building and reconstruction; governance; poverty reduction; statistics; evaluation and environment; as well as to other relevant OECD bodies.

Members of the Network are instrumental in mainstreaming gender equality throughout their own agencies.

The GENDERNET also organises thematic workshops involving OECD partner countries, the United Nations system, research institutes and civil society organisations. It participates in advocacy events bringing together experts from both OECD and partner countries.