Surviving the policy pipeline The treatment of gender equality and macroeconomic reform in World Ban

Organizers: Bretton Woods Project, MenaFem Movement for Economic, Development And Ecological Justice, Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR), Genderscope LTD, Global Social Justice, Urgewald, FEMNET, Wemos, CARE International, Christian Aid Session Abstract: The World Bank's 2024-30 Gender Strategy commits the institution to advancing gender equality as a development priority. Yet, rarely is gender scrutinised in the context of lending operations and macroeconomic policy advice. Drawing on new civil society research across ten borrowing countries, this session analyses which, and how, gender priorities move through the WBG's policy pipeline, from diagnostics and country strategies to Development Policy Financing operations. Discussion will include perspectives on long-term tensions between gender equality commitments and policy reforms such as fiscal consolidation, privatisation and private sector-led development, while identifying concrete opportunities to strengthen accountability, policy coherence and gender-transformative outcomes. Moderator: Emma Burgisser, Economic Justice Lead, Christian Aid Panelist 1: Fiana Arbab, Independent Consultant and expert on gender Panelist 2: Robin Mearns, Gender Director, WBG Panelist 3: Grace Namugambe, Economic Justice & Rights Officer, FEMNET Panelist 4: Theo Thomas, Director, Human Development and Economic Management Department, IEG