Closing the Gender Gap

woman and child sitting outside their home cooking

The Challenge

Focusing on gender equality is core to development. It is also smart economics. There is clear evidence from the World Bank Group and other cross-disciplinary organizations that no country, community, or economy can achieve its potential or meet the challenges of the 21^st century without the full and equal participation of women and men. Improving gender balance has proven to enhance financial performance, improve development outcomes, stimulate innovation, and result in safer work environments.

As employees, particularly in executive and management positions, women’s representation can strengthen a utility’s business and social performance, better anchoring the company in its operating environment. Companies with greater gender equality are more innovative, generous, and profitable.

ESMAP's Response

ESMAP has built considerable momentum for closing gender gaps over the past business plan through its global Gender and Energy Program and its six regional programs. These have helped strengthen women's roles as consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs in the energy sector. Aligned with the World Bank Group Gender Strategy and lessons learned during its implementation, ESMAP works with countries to design interventions and generate crucial knowledge of actions needed to close gender gaps in the sector and improve development outcomes.

World Bank client countries recognize that focusing on gender equality is smart economics, but often lack the technical knowledge to capitalize on opportunities to enhance development outcomes by improving gender equality and mitigate risk related to ignoring inequality. Capacity-building support and training are needed to implement and sustain actions on gender equality. Upstream support for policy development and strengthening enabling environments through provision of data, engaging senior management, and establishing best practices to address “sticky” gender gaps. is important.

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During fiscal year 2020, ESMAP’s Gender and Energy Program led activities to augment data for identifying and addressing data gaps regarding gender issues in the sector; strengthen knowledge with new evidence on gender equality; provide technical support to World Bank operations; and continue building partnerships to advance these goals. Learn about our results.