Making the case for the gender variable : women and the wealth and well-being of nations

This monograph presents evidence from empirical, quantitative, and computer modeling studies showing that such assistance actually has a multiplier effect that spreads benefits through the woman and her family to whole nations and even regions. Evidence is marshalled to stress the importance of supporting: (1) women"s economically productive activities, which contribute significantly to the food supply, the large informal sector, the service and farm labor forces, and the export manufacturing labor force; and (2) women"s education, which affects health, fertility, formal labor force participation, and economic growth. The report also presents evidence that the development impact of women"s economic activities, as well as women"s overall status and decisionmaking power within the household, is intensified when women control the use of income (usually spending it for child nutrition and the family"s basic needs); included is a critique of the standard gender-disaggregated model of the household economy. The report points out the grave implications of these findings for the food crisis in Africa, where women, the producers of up to 80% of local food crops, are almost always bypassed by extension, input, and credit programs.