Publication:
World Bank Group Gender Strategy Mid-Term Review: An Assessment by the Independent Evaluation Group

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2021-03-08
ISSN
Published
2021-03-08
Editor(s)
Abstract
The World Bank Group’s Gender Strategy (fiscal year [2016–23) presents gender equality as integral to smart development policy and posits that successful implementation of the strategy will help achieve the Bank Group’s twin goals and the Sustainable Development Goals. The strategy focuses on four objectives: human endowments, jobs, asset control and ownership, and voice and agency. To implement the strategy, the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) established a new methodology and targets for measuring progress via gender tags for World Bank operations and gender flags for IFC advisory and investment services. At the midpoint in the eight-year strategic cycle, this review provides a rapid assessment of the implementation of the strategy in the World Bank and IFC. The purpose of the review is to provide evidence and reveal opportunities to maximize organizational efforts over the final four years of implementation. It reflects on what is working well and less well to support continuous monitoring and learning in the World Bank and IFC in terms of strategy implementation. The review identified the connections and coordination among four essential institutional elements for an enhanced country-driven approach—knowledge management, staff designated to support work on gender, the IFC Gender Business Group and World Bank Gender Group, and monitoring and evaluation—and identifies four opportunities to enhance implementation.
Link to Data Set
Citation
Independent Evaluation Group. 2021. World Bank Group Gender Strategy Mid-Term Review: An Assessment by the Independent Evaluation Group. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/35219 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.
Associated URLs
Associated content
Report Series
Other publications in this report series
Journal
Journal Volume
Journal Issue

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Publication
    World Bank Country-Level Engagement on Governance and Anticorruotion : An Evaluation of the 2007 Strategy and Implementation Plan
    (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2011) Independent Evaluation Group
    Well-governed countries is better able to formulate growth-enhancing policies, deliver essential services to the poor, and regulate financial and product markets. The appeal of governance reform and the fight against corruption can resonate widely across diverse countries and social groups, as demonstrated by recent events in the Middle East and North Africa. Building on more than two decades of experience, the World Bank's 2007 governance and anticorruption (GAC) strategy reaffirmed its continuing commitment to the crucial and challenging agenda of helping countries develop accountable and effective states. Focusing on the country operational aspects of the overall GAC agenda, the Independent Evaluation Group (lEG) assessed the relevance and effectiveness of the strategy and its first phase of implementation efforts over fiscal years 2008-10. A key feature of the evaluation is its benchmarking of the content and quality of the Bank's country-level engagement on GAC issues, before and after the 2007 strategy. The findings of this evaluation are, by design, intended to inform a planned second phase of the GAC implementation, a learning process that signals one of the Bank's strengths. They can be viewed in the context of an ongoing change management and internal reforms agenda, which includes the strengthening of the Integrity Vice Presidency, a new World Bank Institute strategy, an institution-wide transparency initiative, and efforts to modernize investment lending.
  • Publication
    World Bank Group Impact Evaluations : Relevance and Effectiveness
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2012-06) Independent Evaluation Group
    The use of impact evaluations (IEs) to assess the causal impacts of development projects has expanded rapidly. Along with major innovations in statistical methods and econometrics, the recent impetus in IE has its roots in the debate about whether development programs achieve their objectives of reducing poverty and increasing economic growth. The renewed focus on results and the increasing calls for sound evidence on effectiveness have led to expectations that IE may help build the knowledge base of what does and does not work in development and where resources may be best allocated. Between 2004 and 2008, the number of Bank Group supported evaluations increased sevenfold. This increase is partly attributable to major IE initiatives at the World Bank, including the Development Impact Evaluation Initiative (DIME), the Africa Impact Evaluation Initiative, the Spanish Trust Fund for Impact Evaluation (SIEF), and efforts by the International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Advisory Services Results Measurement Unit (RMU). This sizable investment in IEs, together with the high expectations for them, contrasts with how little is known about whether the evaluations: (i) evaluate the primary objectives of Bank Group supported projects and help fill strategic, analytic, and policy knowledge gaps; (ii) are of high quality; and (iii) have influenced operational work (project design, implementation, and assessment), resource allocation, institutional strategy, policy making, or evaluation culture and capacity. In this report, the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) assesses the extent to which experimental and quasi-experimental IEs supported by the World Bank Group have contributed to its development practices along several dimensions. The study aims to evaluate the relevance of both experimental and quasi-experimental IEs supported by the Bank Group in the past decade; their technical quality; their use and influence on the Bank Group's business lines and strategies and on client countries policies; and their contribution to building evaluation capacity. The objectives of the evaluation are similar to those of other recent IEG evaluations of analytical and advisory assistance (AAA) at the World Bank: the 2010 poverty and social impact analysis evaluation, the 2008 evaluation of economic and sector work and non-lending technical assistance, and other evaluations of particular AAA reports within country assistance reviews (IEG 2003, 2008, 2010).
  • Publication
    IEG Annual Report 2011 : Results and Performance of the World Bank Group
    (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2011) Independent Evaluation Group
    The work of the World Bank Group (WBG) in helping reduce poverty supports four core goals at both global and country levels: expanding economic opportunities, enhancing human development, mitigating socioeconomic and environmental risks, and improving governance and public sector effectiveness. In the first half of the 2000s, developing countries made advances in these areas, leading to a significant reduction in poverty. Historically high economic growth rates as well as improvements in key aspects of human development made the difference. A series of global economic crises as well as natural disasters contributed to setbacks, while global climate change continued to threaten progress. These global shifters need to be confronted by development strategies. Improving governance and public sector effectiveness is key to reducing poverty further. The quality of public sector management also affects the WBGapos;s development effectiveness in countries. WBG-supported country program and project outcomes are lower in countries with poorer quality public sector management, suggesting a need to augment the approach and prioritize engagement in this area. Finally, WBG managementapos;s adoption of recommendations derived from evaluations has increased over time, and both management and Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) have agreed on measures to improve this process.
  • Publication
    Brazil Country Program Evaluation, FY2004-11 : Evaluation of the World Bank Group Program
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2014-10-27) Independent Evaluation Group
    This country program evaluation (CPE) evaluates World Bank Group (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), or the Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) operations in Brazil from FY2004 through FY2011. It seeks to answer two questions: to what extent was the Bank Group program relevant to Brazil's development needs?, and how effective were Bank Group operations in helping to accelerate economic growth and making growth more inclusive and environmentally sustainable? The period reviewed was covered by two country strategies, one for FY2004-07 and the other for FY2008-11. The evaluation comments on aspects of the country partnership strategy (CPS) FY2012-15 with particular reference to its relevance and design. The report aims to extract lessons relevant to future Bank Group operations in Brazil. The study also examines the synergies between lending and knowledge services and the effectiveness of collaboration within the Bank Group and with external development partners. This report has five chapters. Chapter one gives purpose and country context. Chapter two summarizes the Bank Group operations and examines trends and patterns during the evaluation period. Chapters three and four assess the relevance and contributions of these operations to the objectives stated in the country strategies. The concluding chapter draws lessons and recommendations for the Bank Group's future engagement in Brazil.
  • Publication
    Liberia Country Program Evaluation 2004-2011 : Evaluation of the World Bank Group Program
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2012-10) Independent Evaluation Group; Leechor, Chad
    This report evaluates the outcomes of World Bank Group support to Liberia from its post-war reengagement in 2003 through 2011. The country has moved from total disarray to a solid foundation for inclusive development. Although development has not moved forward as quickly as hoped, substantial progress has been made. Public finance and key institutions have been rebuilt; crucial transport facilities have been restored; and hospitals, schools, and universities are operating. The debilitating burden of massive external debt has been eliminated. Although the government deserves most of the credit, this success would not have been possible without external development and security partners, including the World Bank Group. Regarding outcomes, the rebuilding of public institutions has seen substantial progress, with important achievements in restoring public finances and reforming the civil service. Regarding the rehabilitation of infrastructure, the World Bank Group has helped improve the conditions of roads, ports, power supply, and water and sanitation. However, World Bank Group financial support has been relatively modest with regard to facilitating growth, but it has helped with policy advice and in filling gaps left by other partners. With regard to the three cross-cutting themes of Bank Group strategy, some effective programs were carried out, including capacity development at several core public finance-related agencies. However, the integration of these themes across World Bank Group interventions, which was the underlying intent, still needs a vision and better articulated strategy. Finally, the Bank and the International Monetary Fund led efforts to reduce Liberia's inherited external debt burden under the enhanced Highly-Indebted Poor Country Initiative and the Multi-lateral Debt Relief Initiative mechanisms.

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

  • Publication
    World Development Report 2011
    (World Bank, 2011) World Bank
    The 2011 World development report looks across disciplines and experiences drawn from around the world to offer some ideas and practical recommendations on how to move beyond conflict and fragility and secure development. The key messages are important for all countries-low, middle, and high income-as well as for regional and global institutions: first, institutional legitimacy is the key to stability. When state institutions do not adequately protect citizens, guard against corruption, or provide access to justice; when markets do not provide job opportunities; or when communities have lost social cohesion-the likelihood of violent conflict increases. Second, investing in citizen security, justice, and jobs is essential to reducing violence. But there are major structural gaps in our collective capabilities to support these areas. Third, confronting this challenge effectively means that institutions need to change. International agencies and partners from other countries must adapt procedures so they can respond with agility and speed, a longer-term perspective, and greater staying power. Fourth, need to adopt a layered approach. Some problems can be addressed at the country level, but others need to be addressed at a regional level, such as developing markets that integrate insecure areas and pooling resources for building capacity Fifth, in adopting these approaches, need to be aware that the global landscape is changing. Regional institutions and middle income countries are playing a larger role. This means should pay more attention to south-south and south-north exchanges, and to the recent transition experiences of middle income countries.
  • Publication
    Classroom Assessment to Support Foundational Literacy
    (Washington, DC: World Bank, 2025-03-21) Luna-Bazaldua, Diego; Levin, Victoria; Liberman, Julia; Gala, Priyal Mukesh
    This document focuses primarily on how classroom assessment activities can measure students’ literacy skills as they progress along a learning trajectory towards reading fluently and with comprehension by the end of primary school grades. The document addresses considerations regarding the design and implementation of early grade reading classroom assessment, provides examples of assessment activities from a variety of countries and contexts, and discusses the importance of incorporating classroom assessment practices into teacher training and professional development opportunities for teachers. The structure of the document is as follows. The first section presents definitions and addresses basic questions on classroom assessment. Section 2 covers the intersection between assessment and early grade reading by discussing how learning assessment can measure early grade reading skills following the reading learning trajectory. Section 3 compares some of the most common early grade literacy assessment tools with respect to the early grade reading skills and developmental phases. Section 4 of the document addresses teacher training considerations in developing, scoring, and using early grade reading assessment. Additional issues in assessing reading skills in the classroom and using assessment results to improve teaching and learning are reviewed in section 5. Throughout the document, country cases are presented to demonstrate how assessment activities can be implemented in the classroom in different contexts.
  • Publication
    Doing Business 2014 : Understanding Regulations for Small and Medium-Size Enterprises
    (Washington, DC: World Bank Group, 2013-10-28) World Bank; International Finance Corporation
    Eleventh in a series of annual reports comparing business regulation in 185 economies, Doing Business 2014 measures regulations affecting 11 areas of everyday business activity: Starting a business, Dealing with construction permits, Getting electricity, Registering property, Getting credit, Protecting investors, Paying taxes, Trading across borders, Enforcing contracts, Closing a business, Employing workers. The report updates all indicators as of June 1, 2013, ranks economies on their overall “ease of doing business”, and analyzes reforms to business regulation – identifying which economies are strengthening their business environment the most. The Doing Business reports illustrate how reforms in business regulations are being used to analyze economic outcomes for domestic entrepreneurs and for the wider economy. Doing Business is a flagship product by the World Bank and IFC that garners worldwide attention on regulatory barriers to entrepreneurship. More than 60 economies use the Doing Business indicators to shape reform agendas and monitor improvements on the ground. In addition, the Doing Business data has generated over 870 articles in peer-reviewed academic journals since its inception.
  • Publication
    Remarks to the Annual Meetings 2020 Development Committee
    (World Bank, Washington, DC, 2020-10-16) Malpass, David
    David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group, announced that the Board approved a fast track approach to emergency health support programs that now covers 111 countries. Most projects are well advanced, with average disbursement upward of 40 percent. The goal is to take broad, fast action early. The operational framework presented back in June has positioned the Bank to help countries address immediate health threats and social and economic impacts and maintain our focus on long-term development. The Bank is making good progress toward the 15-month target of 160 billion dollars in surge financing. Much of it is for the poorest countries and will take the form of grants or low-rate, long-maturity loans. IFC, through the Global Health Platform, will be providing financing to vaccine manufacturers to foster expanded production of COVID-19 vaccines in both part 1 and 2 countries, providing production is reserved for emerging markets. The Development Committee holds a unique place in the international architecture. It is the only global forum in which the Governments of developed countries and the Governments of developing countries, creditor countries and borrower countries, come together to discuss development and the ‘net transfer of resources to developing countries.’ The current International Financial Architecture system is skewed in favor of the rich and creditor countries. It is important that all voices are heard, so Malpass urged the Ministers of developing countries to use their voice and speak their minds today. Malpass urged consideration of how we can build a new approach to debt restructuring that allows for a fair relationship and balance between creditors and debtors. This will be critical in restoring growth in developing countries; and helping reverse the inequality.
  • Publication
    World Development Report 2006
    (Washington, DC, 2005) World Bank
    This year’s Word Development Report (WDR), the twenty-eighth, looks at the role of equity in the development process. It defines equity in terms of two basic principles. The first is equal opportunities: that a person’s chances in life should be determined by his or her talents and efforts, rather than by pre-determined circumstances such as race, gender, social or family background. The second principle is the avoidance of extreme deprivation in outcomes, particularly in health, education and consumption levels. This principle thus includes the objective of poverty reduction. The report’s main message is that, in the long run, the pursuit of equity and the pursuit of economic prosperity are complementary. In addition to detailed chapters exploring these and related issues, the Report contains selected data from the World Development Indicators 2005‹an appendix of economic and social data for over 200 countries. This Report offers practical insights for policymakers, executives, scholars, and all those with an interest in economic development.