1.0 Introduction.

• Position: Gender Dimensions of PRSP Processes and the Relationship to the National Budgets: The Experiences of Egypt, Mali, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia - Report - Work overview

1.1 Background

The centrality of addressing gender issues in poverty reduction and development in Africa is being increasingly recognized. A recently published World Bank policy research report confirms that gender-based inequality limits economic growth in Africa, and that it is essential for Africa to unleash the enormous productive potential of its women if it is to make impressive strides toward pro-poor growth (1). The findings of both macro- and microeconomic analysis of the links between growth and gender inequality have shown that large gender disparities in basic human rights, resources, economic opportunity, and in political voice is directly and indirectly limiting growth in sub-Saharan Africa, and that women and girls are bearing the largest and most direct costs of these inequalities. In addition to being a major constraint to growth, gender inequality reduces the effectiveness of poverty reduction efforts. Therefore, understanding the nature of gender disparities and taking the necessary actions to redress them will not only promote higher growth rates but will also make a substantial contribution to the reduction of poverty.

Developing country evidence shows that the nature, causes and impacts of poverty are different for men and for women. Gender inequality persists in access to and control of a range of productive, human, and social capital assets--consequently, the core components of poverty--capability, opportunity, security, and empowerment--differ along gender lines. Poverty reduction strategies, therefore, need to address these differences in understanding the constituent elements and dynamics poverty and vulnerability, in prioritising actions, including setting and monitoring performance indicators, and in monitoring implementation.

The major concern of Governments in Egypt, Mali, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia today, is the issue of poverty reduction among their citizenry. The achievement of growth with equity in both the economic and social sectors is not possible without a significant reduction in poverty incidence for middle-income Egypt, as well as the less developed Mall, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

Gender inequality and poverty are the result of distinct though interlocking, social relations and processes. Social relations of gender mediate women's experience of poverty. On the other hand, gender affects critical factors contributing to poverty risks: income, opportunity, security and empowerment.

The explicit gender...