The OECD measures progress toward gender equality and helps shape an international system that protects and advances girls’ and women’s rights. OECD findings and initiatives support mechanisms to promote pay transparency, gender mainstreaming and budgeting; address gender-based violence; and extend the perspective on gender equality to include foreign direct investment. All of this work informs policy making around the world, and action by OECD providers of development co-operation.
Gender and development
Gender equality is not only a human right – it is a powerful lever for strong, green and inclusive economic development. Economies are more resilient and productive when they reduce gender inequalities, strengthen women’s rights, and support their equal participation in all spheres of life.
Key messages
Context
Donor emphasis on gender equality increased in 2022-23
In 2022-23, the volume of ODA with gender equality objectives increased to USD 68.7 billion, and its share of total bilateral allocable ODA went up to 46%, a rebound from the previous period. This increase shows progress in DAC members' policies, practices and development finance prioritising gender equality.
Gender equality makes societies more resilient
Gender inequality is one of the root causes of fragility – the insufficient capacity of a state or community to cope with the risks it is facing – and a key indicator of development trajectories. Women and girls living in contexts with high and extreme fragility are more exposed to health risks like maternal mortality, female genital mutilation and early pregnancies. They tend to have lower educational outcomes, experience higher levels of gender discrimination, and lower access to social protection. Tackling these challenges requires more sex-disaggregated data to make accurate assessments and inform policy responses.
Gaps in the legislative framework weaken women’s rights in the workplace
Southeast Asian countries exhibit extremely large differences between maternity and paternity leave. All of them mandate paid maternity leave and seven out of 11 comply with the minimum maternity leave period of 14 weeks recommended by the International Labor Organization (ILO). However, just five of them mandate the full payment of benefits for all 14 weeks. Yet, evidence from Viet Nam underscores that the extension of the duration of maternity leave in 2012 did not increase the gender employment gap, but helped narrow the gender gap in the formal sector for women of reproductive age. Moreover, four countries do not mandate any paid paternity or parental leave available to fathers. In countries that do, the legislation establishes leave periods for fathers that are significantly shorter than for mothers, ranging from less than seven days to two weeks in the best case.
