Presentation/s:

The lives of women around the world have improved dramatically, at a pace and scope difficult to imagine even 25 years ago. Women have made unprecedented gains in rights, education, health, and access to jobs and livelihoods. Despite the progress, gaps remain in many areas. The worst disparity is the rate at which girls and women die relative to men in developing countries. Excess female deaths account for an estimated 3.9 million women each year in low and middle income countries. About two-fifths are never born dueto a preference for sons, a sixth die in early childhood, and over a third die in their reproductive years.

The World Development Report 2012 argues that closing these gaps is a core development objective in its own right. It is also smart economics. Greater gender equality can enhance productivity, improve development outcomes for the next generation, and make institutions more representative.

The Development Policy Centre and the Gender Institute, ANU, invited you to hear Andrew Mason present the findings and recommendations of the report and its companion publication on East Asia and the Pacific. Sharon Bessell, Senior Lecturer, Crawford School, ANU and Gillian Brown, Principal Gender Adviser, AusAID will provide their perspectives.

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