Multilateral Development Banks and Gender Mainstreaming

Abstract

This paper examines the evolution and operationalization of gender mainstreaming within two major multilateral development banks—the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), situating their approaches within the broader trajectory of global gender policy since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (United Nations, 1995). Gender mainstreaming, formally articulated in the 1997, ECOSOC agreed conclusions (United Nations, 1997), is conceptualized as a comprehensive strategy that integrates gender perspectives into the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of policies and programs across sectors and levels. Moving beyond a narrow focus on women’s participation, it seeks to transform institutional processes to ensure equitable outcomes for both women and men.