Why Gender Inequality Needs to Be Tackled

As gender inequality continues to limit the lives of women and girls around the world, it is clear that it needs to be tackled. Gender inequality harms individuals, families and communities – and it undermines economies and society. It stops people from realizing their full potential, denying them opportunities to learn and earn, and it limits the next generation’s prospects. The impact is felt everywhere – from developing countries with fragile infrastructure to wealthy nations facing the fallout of the global financial crisis.

As the world moves closer to achieving equality between men and women, tackling gender gaps has become a priority for many governments. Yet, progress varies and the focus of policies is evolving as new gaps emerge. Gender inequality persists across broad areas of life including education, labor markets and financial access (Kochhar and others, 2017; Sahay and others, 2015; Cihak and Sahay, 2020).

The reasons for these gaps can vary but are generally linked to gender bias and social norms, which are difficult to directly target with policy interventions (e.g. information campaigns or legal reforms). Instead, gender-inclusive policies typically aim to address symptoms of inequality, such as reducing education gaps and labor market barriers, or addressing the misallocation of talent, such as by lowering male tertiary enrollment rates compared to female ones.

In addition, tackling gender gaps can have indirect effects on other factors, such as economic growth, poverty reduction and macroeconomic stability, which in turn can have indirect impacts on individuals, families and communities. For instance, reducing gender wage gaps can reduce income inequality by increasing the earning potential of women from low-income households. And lowering the prevalence of “fatherhood penalty” in labor markets can help lower child poverty and boost family incomes by allowing women to work longer hours and increase their earnings.

A growing body of evidence shows that addressing these gender gaps can have important, even far-reaching, implications for societies. Reducing them benefits both women and children, as women tend to prioritize child welfare more than men; and the economy as a whole through positive productivity externalities, economic growth and stability, and reduced income inequality.

As the world strives for greater equality between men and women, it is crucial that the evidence on what works to close these gaps is incorporated into policy design. The research is clear: if we want to see lasting change, we must work together. Together, we can build strong economies and resilient societies that give everyone a chance to thrive.