Argentina : Gender Equity in the Private Sector

Abstract

First tested in Mexico in 2003, and most
 recently applied in 2009 in Argentina, the World Bank has
 developed a model to incorporate gender equity into private
 sector organizations while simultaneously enhancing their
 business. Under the model, participating organizations
 conduct a self-diagnosis to identify gender biases and gaps
 in the operations. This baseline is then used to create and
 subsequently implement an action plan to address these
 gender inequalities in their organization. Successful
 application of this gender equity model is certified by an
 independent auditing agency and the firm is awarded a seal
 they can publicly use and display, enhancing their
 reputation. Since the first experience in Mexico, the model
 has been adapted to fit other countries' realities, and
 each experience has improved the tools and process of the
 model. This paper summarizes the World Bank's
 experiences with the gender equity certification model and
 explores the primary features and factors of success through
 careful examination of the most recent application in
 Argentina. The successful experiences and ease of
 adaptability of the model point towards the feasibility of
 applying this model as standard World Bank "brand"
 certifiable international Gender Equity Model, or "GEM".