## A Proposed Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender at the IMF

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [A Proposed Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender at the IMF](https://www.imf.org/en/topics/gender-strategy)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/topics/gender-strategy/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/topics/gender-strategy/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/topics/gender-strategy/bundle-manifest.json)

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### Overview
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is preparing its first strategy to mainstream gender.
- The proposed strategy aims to integrate gender into the Fund’s surveillance, lending, and capacity development.
- The proposal will be submitted for consideration and approval to the IMF’s Executive Board in Spring 2022.

### Rationale and urgency
- Mainstreaming gender at the IMF begins with recognizing that many gender disparities are macro-critical and that economic and financial policies can exacerbate or narrow them.
- Improving women’s access to opportunities and decision-making roles is linked to:
  - higher economic growth,
  - greater economic and financial stability and resilience,
  - lower inequality.
- Attention to gender has never been more urgent: the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing gaps, disproportionately affecting women.
- The proposed gender strategy focuses on the Fund’s areas of expertise: macroeconomic and financial policy and analysis. It does not consider all aspects of gender issues.

### Foundation and complementarity
- A foundation of past work has paved the way, including country pilots, capacity development initiatives, and analytical research.
- The proposed gender strategy seeks to complement the efforts of other organizations that have had a head start in this field.
- Partnering with external stakeholders is identified as vital to enhance efficacy and leverage impact.

### Implementation focus
- Core focus areas for integration:
  - Surveillance: incorporating gender-relevant macroeconomic analysis.
  - Lending: mainstreaming gender considerations in lending operations where macro-critical.
  - Capacity development: targeted advice and technical assistance to strengthen country capacity on gender-relevant macroeconomic and financial policy.
- The strategy concentrates on the IMF’s comparative advantages, namely macroeconomic and financial policy and analysis.

### Engagement and consultation process
- The IMF values engagement with partners and stakeholders to shape its analysis and policies.
- The IMF has had constructive engagements on gender work over the last several years through calls, CSO policy forum sessions, and dedicated events.
- Inputs from these engagements were considered in the first gender strategy proposal to the Board on February 9.
- An online public consultation of the concept note is open during February 10 - March 23, 2022.
- Consultations with external partners will take place during February 10 – March 23, 2022.

### Questions posed for public input
- Do you agree with the proposed vision for mainstreaming gender at the IMF?
- Given the mandates, core competencies, and comparative advantages of other organizations working on gender issues, what are your views on where the IMF can make the most impactful contribution?
- What factors are important for the IMF to consider when identifying countries for targeted advice and capacity development support?

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## Content in this bundle

- **A Proposed Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender At the Imf — Consultation Concept Note**
  - [A Proposed Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender At the Imf — Consultation Concept Note (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/topics/gender/gender-strategy-consultation-note-021022.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [A Proposed Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender At the Imf — Consultation Concept Note (PDF)](/-/media/files/topics/gender/gender-strategy-consultation-note-021022.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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## References

- [IMF Gender Website).](https://www.imf.org/gender)

_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/topics/gender-strategy_