'Some gaps are persisting even as development occurs'

[sidogar]

The World Development Report 2012 focusses on gender equality. Sudhir Shetty an author of the World Bank Report, spoke with Srijana Mitra Das about findings from across 19 nations and 98 communities, India's position and the power - and paradoxes - of gender equality:

What is your key finding?

Gender equality is the right thing for countries to do - and it's smart economics. It produces better economic outcomes, in this generation and the future.

Why do so many countries resist it then?

To analyse that, we break down 'gender equality' into dimensions of equality between men and women. One is human capital - education and health. Another is access to economic opportunities. Third come differences in voice and agency - the ability to shape outcomes within households, institutions and society.

We've found a paradox. Looking at the last 40 years, you find in some areas gaps have closed quite dramatically, a striking example being education. But some gaps are persisting, even as development occurs. One is female mortality. About four million women a year die too early - either they're not born at all, a problem for India and China, or die in childhood or the reproductive ages. A second area is economic opportunities. Either there are low rates of female labour force participation as in South Asia, or gaps in earnings and productivity even within rich countries. Look at Germany, the US - there's a gap in what men and women earn. Rich countries also show comparative gaps in women's political participation...

To understand these para-doxes, we examine what goes on in the household, interactions with markets, how employers treat men and women, and legal and service-delivery institutions.

Do you indicate priorities?

We draw four policy priorities. Human capital, socio-economic opportunities and differences in voice in households and society, which in India impacts decisions over marriage, spending, fertility, etc. A cross-cutting priority is ending the reproduction of inequality over time, ensuring attitudes regarding gender aren't perpetuated. Ensuring Second Chance programmes taking girls back to school. Assisting girls in school-to-work transitions. All these are relevant to India.

Speaking of work, has globalisation impacted gender equality in India?

The world's become a smal-ler place with investment, trade and information flows. India has industries like IT today offering women a level playing field. Our finding is - this could be a good thing for gender equa-lity - but it's not going to do it by itself. Message for policy-makers - don't sit on your hands and wait for globalisation to take care of your problems.

Gaps in earnings and productivity are explained by how men and women spend time. Due to social norms, women spend more time on family care. Industries alone can't solve that. So, our message is - great globalisation's happening, could be an ally - but the important word is could. You still need directed policy action. You still need legislation with enforcement. In India, when the inheritance laws changed, girls' education went up...many nations have progressive legislation around divorce, inheritance and land-ownership but from Norway to Bangladesh, gaps exist bet-ween laws empowering women and their implementation.

What policy steps are urgently required in India?

Focussing on excess mortality of women as well as how to get clean water, sanitation and maternal services to poor women. Malaysia ensured women give birth in hospitals with trained attendants, drugs, etc, making the entire chain of service delivery work. For India, it's exceedingly important to fix this gap - it should not be there in a country growing at 8-9% for the last few years.