<p>Better gender equality can make institutions more representative and advance development prospects for all, the Washington-based World Bank said in its flagship report entitled "World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development" that was released Sunday prior to its upcoming annual meetings. <br /><br />"We need to achieve gender equality," said World Bank President Robert Zoellick, adding that over the past five years, the Bank has provided $65 billion to support girls' education, women's health, as well as women's access to credit, land, agricultural services, jobs and infrastructure, reported Xinhua.</p>.<p>Going forward, the Bank will mainstream its gender work and find other ways to move the agenda forward to capture the full potential of half the world's population, noted Zoellick. <br /><br />The World Bank and its sister agency the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are scheduled to kick off their annual meetings later this month in Washington. </p>
<p>Better gender equality can make institutions more representative and advance development prospects for all, the Washington-based World Bank said in its flagship report entitled "World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development" that was released Sunday prior to its upcoming annual meetings. <br /><br />"We need to achieve gender equality," said World Bank President Robert Zoellick, adding that over the past five years, the Bank has provided $65 billion to support girls' education, women's health, as well as women's access to credit, land, agricultural services, jobs and infrastructure, reported Xinhua.</p>.<p>Going forward, the Bank will mainstream its gender work and find other ways to move the agenda forward to capture the full potential of half the world's population, noted Zoellick. <br /><br />The World Bank and its sister agency the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are scheduled to kick off their annual meetings later this month in Washington. </p>