The Bank’s 2001 Gender Mainstreaming Strategy was criticised as an insufficient step in integrating gender issues in Bank analysis and operations.

In a report, the NGO Gender Action concludes that ‘engendering’ has occurred within the framework of standard macroeconomic and sector policies.Shortcomings are particularly evident in countries where adjustment loans are moving countries towards a market economy without a strong welfare system. Serbia and Montenegro are cited as cases in point.

Gender perspectives are poorly rooted within Bank culture. Although gender experts have grown to about 115 – less than one percent of Bank staff and consultants – gender analysis is not mandatory. Interviews revealed ignorance of the gender strategy within the Bank.