IMF policy paper, July 2022

Mainstreaming gender at the IMF starts with the recognition that many aspects of gender disparities in opportunities, outcomes, and decision-making roles are macrocritical and that economic and financial policies can exacerbate or narrow these gaps. Reducing gender disparities goes hand-in-hand with higher economic growth, greater economic stability and resilience, and lower income inequality. Well-designed macroeconomic, structural, and financial policies can support efficient and inclusive outcomes and equitably benefit women, girls, and the society in general.

Attention to gender has never been more urgent. The increase in fragility across the globe as a consequence of conflicts, the COVID-19 pandemic, and long-standing factors such as climate change have exacerbated pre-existing gaps, disproportionately affecting women’s jobs, incomes, and security. The fallout from the war in Ukraine
resulting in higher food and energy prices is compounding the suffering.

The vision is to integrate gender into the IMF’s core activities—surveillance, lending, and capacity development—in accordance with its mandate. This means enabling IMF
staff to systematically assess the macroeconomic consequences of gender gaps where they are macro-critical, evaluate the gender-differentiated impact of shocks and
policies, and provide granular and tailored macroeconomic and financial policy advice. (From the Executive summary). Record #7774