*************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN Statement to the Fourth World Conference on Women Beijing, China, 11 September, 1995 Address by Ms. K. Burke Dillon Director, Administration Department International Monetary Fund In 1975 I was one of a small group of activist women at the International Monetary Fund who were dismayed to learn that the Fund's Administration Department had, without consulting us, turned down an invitation to the IMF to participate in Mexico City. Today, I am head of the IMF's Administration Department and would not for the world have missed this opportunity, along with the other members of our delegation, to join with you as we seek to turn into concrete actions the aspirations that were ignited in Mexico and given form in the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies. Over the past twenty years, I have seen women take a steadily increasing role on both sides of the table in the policy discussions the IMF has with its member governments. I have also seen a steady evolution in the perspectives and policies of the IMF itself. [I. Women in the IMF: Training and Staffing] One goal of this conference is to increase the role of women in economic decision-making. The IMF can help. We provide a range of training programs for government officials, specifically aimed at future decision-makers, particularly in the central banks and ministries of finance of the world. In recent years women from developing countries have accounted for one-third of those selected for these programs. Another small but important training facility brings top economics graduate students from around the world to Washington to work with us for a summer. This year fully half of these summer interns are women. Turning to the staff of the IMF itself, most young economists enter the IMF through our Economist Program. This year one-third of those in the Economist Program are women. However, the percentage of women is much smaller at higher ranks--only 9 percent at the managerial level. The Managing Director of the IMF has recently launched a major effort to achieve greater diversity among the staff, not only by gender but also by nationality and region. In doing so, he expressed particular concern about the small number of women in senior positions. To guide this effort the IMF has created, at a very senior level, the office of Special Advisor on Diversity. It will, however, be critical to expanding the role of women in the IMF and other international organizations that host governments remove restrictions on the employment of spouses, and I would like to ask the governments here today to assist us in that regard. [II. The IMF's Role in Promoting High Quality Growth] The IMF was given a specific mandate at its creation. It is called upon to (1) promote international monetary cooperation and orderly exchange arrangements, (2) facilitate the expansion of international trade, and (3) provide temporary balance of payments financing in order to promote national and international prosperity. These objectives may seem far removed from the agenda facing us here in Beijing. However, the measures countries take to balance their payments or to conquer high inflation can have profound effects on all sectors and segments of society. They can affect whether a tree is cut down, a baby is well-nourished, or a girl child goes to school. Reflecting experience gained with adjustment programs in developing countries, the work of the IMF has broadened to take into account the wide-ranging impact economic policies can have, as well as the multiple goals economic policies must serve. The objective today is "high quality growth," that is, growth that is sustainable, brings lasting gains in employment and living standards, and reduces poverty. High quality growth promotes greater equity and equality of opportunity. It respects human freedom and protects the environment. Obviously, growth cannot be high quality--and economic adjustment cannot be high quality--if it does not benefit fully, tangibly, and equitably a group that constitutes more than one-half the world's population. The IMF's success in contributing to the achievement of high quality growth will, however, require that we also recognize the limits of our expertise, our financial role, and especially our mandate and work alongside the World Bank and other agencies. Also, while the IMF can advise and assist, the choice of economic and social policies belongs ultimately to each country. [III. Women in the Process of Adjustment and Growth] There is a growing body of literature--including a number of valuable contributions by participants in our Beijing meetings--that attempts to identify what actually determines whether women are helped or hurt by specific economic policies. By law or custom, women still today often have fewer options and face greater constraints than do men in responding to changing economic conditions and policies. Failure to consider such factors when designing economic programs can lead not only to detrimental impacts on women and children but also to failure to achieve policy goals. The IMF has therefore begun offering its staff training in gender analysis, and IMF management has now asked my department to expand our efforts in this area. In many cases, policies adopted under adjustment programs have directly benefitted women, particularly policies aimed at improving agricultural prices and marketing and at providing resources to, and opening markets for, the small and micro enterprise sectors. However, the record can be improved by identifying and replicating "best practices". Marketing, foreign exchange and financial sector reforms can be a major boon to women, because for women the issue is usually access. When given access to credit and other resources, women have shown they are able to compete on market terms. Another way adjustment programs can protect or benefit women and children is through redirecting public expenditure. The IMF consistently urges governments to reduce unproductive expenditures, including military, and to redirect spending toward the most pressing human needs, i.e., education, health and nutrition. Programs in low- income countries have incorporated measures to improve the level and quality of public spending on primary schools and health care, and about half of the current programs target real increases in such spending. Programs have also increasingly incorporated social safety nets. These have included, to the extent possible, budgetary provision for food, medicine, and services essential to the poor, and income support to the elderly, the unemployed, and families with children. Finally, while appropriately designed adjustment programs can help women, women will be able to respond to changing economic circumstances and incentives and to share fully in the benefits of growth only if national governments take the concrete steps necessary to ensure women's rights and their access to resources, including under laws on land rights, real estate, credit, inheritance, and marriage. In such areas, small steps can lead quickly to big strides. Our common goal must be to improve adjustment. Simply to say "no more adjustment" would be to stick our heads in the sand. Governments undertake adjustment not for its own sake but because the alternative- -unmanageable deficits, soaring inflation, and economic stagnation or decline--is worse for the nation as a whole and particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable. Let us, beginning here in Beijing, use the voices and power of women around the world to ensure that women and children benefit equitably from growth and adjustment, and that all vulnerable groups are protected as much as possible from the hardships and dislocations of economic transition. I can assure you that your message will receive a positive hearing at the highest levels of the IMF. We are committed to ensuring that our economic policy advice takes fully into account the diverse needs and situations of women and their legitimate demand to participate fully and equally in economic and social development. We look forward to working with participants in this conference and with our member governments to realize these goals.