具体描述
Over the past two or so decades the issues of mainstreaming gender in debt and development resource management, has taken centre stage in the continuing debate on improving the application of financial resources, to achieve greater social equity. In response to this debate the Commonwealth Secretariat has prepared this Handbook, to enrich the information available to debt managers, gender advocates and other development practitioners while simultaneously making a contribution to the way forward. The Handbook highlights the linkages between debt and gender and discusses policies and action taken by international agencies and bilateral donors to promote and integrate gender issues in the provision of development assistance. It suggests effective and practical ways through which developing country governments can integrate gender equality considerations in their debt and development resource management. The Handbook makes recommendations for debt recording systems, such as CS-DRMS, to better track the impact of debt and externally funded programmes on gender perspectives.
gender equality in debt and development resource management Mainstreaming Gender in Debt and Development Resource Management is a timely and critical examination of how gender considerations are, and should be, integrated into the complex world of debt management and development resource allocation. This book delves into the often-overlooked gendered impacts of economic policies, particularly those pertaining to national debt, international lending, and the deployment of development aid. It argues that a failure to recognize and address these gendered dimensions leads to inequitable outcomes, hindering both sustainable development and the advancement of gender equality. The volume offers a multifaceted approach, drawing upon diverse theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence from various global contexts. It moves beyond simplistic assumptions, exploring how different groups of women and men, boys and girls, experience debt burdens and benefit from development resources in distinct ways. This includes an analysis of how macro-economic policies, such as austerity measures, structural adjustment programs, and debt restructuring, can disproportionately affect women’s access to public services, employment, and overall economic well-being. Conversely, it also investigates how certain development initiatives, while seemingly gender-neutral, can inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities or create new ones. A central theme of Mainstreaming Gender in Debt and Development Resource Management is the identification of practical strategies and policy recommendations for achieving effective gender mainstreaming. The book provides concrete examples of how governments, international financial institutions, civil society organizations, and researchers can embed gender analysis throughout the entire lifecycle of debt and development resource management. This encompasses the stages of policy formulation, design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. It highlights the importance of robust data collection disaggregated by sex and other relevant socio-economic factors to inform evidence-based policymaking. Furthermore, the book critically examines the institutional and political barriers that often impede the meaningful integration of gender perspectives. It explores the need for enhanced capacity building, awareness-raising, and the creation of enabling legal and policy frameworks to support gender-responsive budgeting and resource allocation. The authors emphasize the crucial role of feminist economics and gender-sensitive macro-economic analysis in challenging conventional approaches and promoting more equitable and sustainable development pathways. Mainstreaming Gender in Debt and Development Resource Management also addresses the vital contributions of women to economic development and their potential to drive more inclusive and resilient economies. It underscores the economic and social benefits of investing in women’s empowerment and ensuring their equitable participation in decision-making processes related to debt and development. The book advocates for a paradigm shift that recognizes gender equality not as an add-on or a separate agenda, but as an integral component of effective, equitable, and sustainable economic governance. Through its comprehensive analysis and actionable insights, this publication serves as an indispensable resource for policymakers, academics, development practitioners, and anyone concerned with fostering more just and equitable economic systems. It encourages a deeper understanding of the intricate links between gender, debt, and development, paving the way for policies that benefit all members of society and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The book’s contributions lie in its ability to bridge the gap between theoretical discourse and practical application, offering a roadmap for embedding gender equality at the core of global economic management.
