Gender equality is a vital component in the development arena as the presence of gender equality can enhance productivity, improve development outcomes for the future generations and make institutions more representative. This report identifies four key areas where gender gap exist, but needs public attention; Reducing excess female mortality and closing education gaps where they remain, Improving access to economic opportunities for women, Increasing women’s voice and agency in the household and in society and Limiting the reproduction of gender inequality across generations. World Resources 2005 builds on the analysis and argument of the two previous editions: World Resources 2000-2001: People and Ecosystems and World Resources 2002-2004: Decisions for the Earth. The book also presents a wealth of statistics on current environmental, social, and economic trends in more than 150 countries.