World Bank's Smart Economics for Gender Equality: An Exposition

Abstract

Gender empowerment, in terms of economic empowerment, played a significant role since historical times in upbringing of children, education of children and decision making; also it took care of widowhood and old age of women. Women with economic entitlement earned more respect and security than women without any such economic asset. While empowerment through education is the best way to empower women, economic empowerment certainly plays a difference in the quality of lives of women; especially illiterate, poor and women suffering with various types of ill treatment from domestic front and outside the home. In this context World Bank's Plan as Smart Economics: Gender Action Plan (2007-2010) came out with an objective to support women and girls to reach the main stream through its studies and support. The objective of the third goal of the " UN Millennium Development Goals " too, is for Gender equality and empowerment. How far we achieved this goal since its inception? It is in this context the present paper discusses the World Bank's Plan on Smart Economics; its concept; features and further considerations.