World development report 2012: gender equality and development

This report focuses on the evolution of gender equality across the world in the context of the development process. It considers gender equality as a core development goal in itself, and argues that gender equality matters for the pace of development. It addresses the vulnerability of women in the face of 'natural' disasters and considers that dislocations such as 'natural' disasters or political or economic change can present policy makers with windows of opportunity to launch reforms that improve gender outcomes.