Gender and Development
Why closing gender gaps is not just a rights issue but an economic imperative, and what the evidence says about what works.
The Economic Case for Gender Equality
Gender inequality is not just a social justice issue -- it is a massive drag on economic development. McKinsey estimates that closing gender gaps in labor force participation alone could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025. The World Bank calculates that gender inequality in earnings costs countries between $4 trillion and $5 trillion in lost human capital wealth. When half a population faces barriers to education, employment, and entrepreneurship, the entire economy suffers.
The evidence is particularly strong in agriculture. Women constitute roughly 43% of the agricultural labor force in developing countries but have less access to land, credit, seeds, and extension services than men. The FAO estimates that giving women farmers equal access to resources would increase their yields by 20-30%, potentially lifting 100-150 million people out of hunger.
