In South Asia’s poorest countries, empowering women is essential to reducing poverty

There are millions of such inspiring, independent women across South Asia—especially in the poorest countries, which are served by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA).

Hartwig Schafer |
Digital Development, Education, Gender, Jobs & Development, Poverty, Social Protection

Three ways to jumpstart a resilient recovery in countries affected by fragility and conflict

For the world’s poorest people, COVID-19 has brought an unparalleled social and economic shock. And for those living in countries affected by fragility and conflict, the challenge is compounded.…

Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Stefan Emblad |
Climate Change, Education, Fragility Conflict and Violence, Gender, Jobs & Development, Social Protection

Giving women in extreme poverty one large package of aid and support gives them the tools to build a better future

As we work on the next IDA replenishment we have a chance to integrate these lessons across our programs that are focused on countries affected by fragility and conflict.

Kristalina Georgieva |
Fragility Conflict and Violence, Gender, Poverty

Putting women’s health and empowerment at the center of development

Registered nurses look after newborns at a maternity hospital in Freetown Sierra Leone. © Dominic Chavez/World Bank Last week on World Population Day, I was thinking of the joy of children and the…

Kristalina Georgieva |
Gender, Financial Inclusion, Financial Sector, Education, Health

2016 in Review: Your favorite social media content

Another year has passed, and as we do each year-end, here’s a rundown of what content resonated most with you on World Bank social media in 2016. Four World Bank Facebook posts you cared about…

Mario Trubiano |
Climate Change, Gender, Education, Health, Poverty

Hope for the world’s poorest springs in Myanmar

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, state counselor of Myanmar and Nobel Peace Prize winner, told representatives from governments rich and poor at a meeting this week in Myanmar that reducing poverty and…

Axel van Trotsenburg |
Climate Change, Fragility Conflict and Violence, Gender

A Lesson from Malala: Girls’ Education Pays Off

When I heard the news last autumn that 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan had been shot simply for standing up for her right as a girl to get an education, I was horrified. It also reminded…

Sri Mulyani Indrawati |
Education, Gender