THE INTERNATIONALMonetary Fund (IMF)said it will continue to

enhance the analysis of themacroeconomic effects of genderinequality, including in its surveillance work, under whichit oversees the international monetary system and monitorsthe economic and financial poli-cies of its 188 member countries.

The IMF emphasised that theWorld Bank and itself haverecognised that gender equalityand the empowerment ofwomen are central to the devel-opment agenda because itmakes good economic sense and

helps advance other develop-ment objectives, including edu-cation, nutrition and reducedchild mortality.

The observations are con-tained in an IMF researchpaper, Women, Work, and theEconomy: MacroeconomicGains from Gender Equity,which examines the macro-crit-ical features of women’s partic-ipation in the labour market, theconstraints preventing themfrom developing their full eco-nomic potential, and policiesthat can create a level playingfield.

In the research, discussed at a

seminar on ‘Women, Work andthe Jamaican Economy’ organ-ised by the IMF in Kingston lastweek, the Fund observed thatwomen make up a little overhalf of the world’s population,but their contribution to meas-ured economic activity, growthand well-being is far below itspotential, with serious macro-economic consequences.

It noted that female labourforce participation has remainedlower than male participation,women account for most unpaidwork, and when they areemployed in paid work, they areoverrepresented in the informalsector and among the poor.

Women also faced significant

wage differentials vis-à-vis theirmale colleagues, the Fund said.

While noting that femalelabour force participationremained low at about 50 percent, with levels and trendsvarying across regions, the IMFsaid Latin America and theCaribbean experienced strongincreases of some 13 per centover the past two decades.

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTORS

It also pointed out thatwomen contribute substantiallyto economic welfare throughlarge amounts of unpaid worksuch as child-rearing and house-hold tasks, which often remainunseen and unaccounted for in

gross domestic product.Gender equality is a relatively

new thrust in the work of theFund and an important issue forIMF Managing Director,Christine Lagarde.

In a speech earlier this yearunder the theme ‘Daring the difference’, circulated at theKingston seminar, Lagarde saidthat ultimately means wedgingthe door open to the contribu-tion of women – their learning,labour and leadership.

“My message is simple,” shesaid. “We need a 21st centurymentality for women’s economicparticipation.”

Lagarde said investment ineducation is especially crucial inthe developing countries wheregirls and women can make ahuge difference.

The IMF managing director,referring to labour, said the evidence is plain – whenwomen contribute more, theeconomy does better.

On the issue of leadership,she said, “We need to put an endto the idea that toughness flowsfrom testosterone and thattoughness is top,” adding thatwhen women get the chance tolead, they actually lead better.

In concluding the seminar lastweek, the Inter-AmericanDevelopment Bank’s Jamaicacountry representative, ThereseTurner-Jones, said, “Today,indeed, was a breakthrough andunique experience to bringtogether women and men fromacross the public and privatespheres to discuss and exchangeviews on the role of women in Jamaica’s economy. The plat-form, as well as the presentationsby the international and localexperts, allowed for a rich debateon the issues and raised manyquestions about how gender canbe mainstreamed in Jamaica’smacroeconomic policymaking.”

mcpherse.thompson@gleanerjm.com

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THIS WEEK’S

BIGNUMBER:

THE GLEANER, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2014

FILE

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.

IMF takes gender equalitycampaign to Jamaica

2014 Toyota Corolla XLI SedanRHD, FWD Transaxle, 4 Speed Automatic TransmissionEfi Fuel Interchange, Fuel Type: GasCC Rating 1498

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FORR SALEE "ASS ISS WHEREE 1$"

Vehicles can be viewed and sealed bids submitted atKACSS Autoo Sale,, 377 Dunrobinn Ave.. Kingstonn 10.

Tel:: 931-7672,, 931-9619.. All reasonable offers will be considered.

Sale by the Jamaica Mortgage BankUnder Power of Sale Contained in a Mortgage

Lots 25 and 26 Bellevue Drive,part of Smokey Vale

in the parish of Saint Andrew

Subject property is located on the southern side of Bellevue

Drive, east of its junction with Vega Vale in a residential

sub-division known as Smokey Vale. The combined parcels are

basically rectangular in shape, appear evenly graded in areas,

sloping downwards to the rear thus allowing easy surface

drainage. The site covers an area of 18,250.115 Sq. M/4.505 A

Land Area (Lot 25) 9,213.675 Sq. M/0.92 HA -

Volume 1077 Folio 511

Land Area (Lot 26) 9,033.908 Sq. M/0.902 HA -

Volume 1077 Folio 512

DEPOSTED PLAN 1325

Prospective Purchasers should provide the JMB with the

following documents:

• An offer price

• Terms of Payment

• Copy Taxpayer Registration Number

• Demonstration of financial capacity to complete

purchase

Offers are to be made in writing, placed in a sealed envelope,

clearly marked “Lots 25 & 26 Bellevue Drive, St. Andrew” and

addressed to:

The Jamaica Mortgage Bank

33 Tobago Avenue

Kingston 5

Offers must be received no later than 4 p.m. November 28,

2014. A minimum deposit of 15% will be payable by certified

cheque immediately on successful bid. The Bank does not bind

itself to accept the highest or any other offer.