WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 The world is losing billions a year in economic growth due to inequities between men and women, international economists reported from Washington.Governments must address the problem and should use economic policies to reduce gender inequalities, International Monetary Fund economists said.The unofficial report suggests the fund could use its influence over its 184 members to encourage governments to remove arbitrary discrimination and other measures to narrow the gender gap, London ' s Independent newspaper reports. The economists' survey of more than 40 rich and poor countries found the gender gap reduces economic growth while economic growth generally narrows the gap between the sexes.The survey also found women tend to invest savings in more productive ways than men and keep up the repayments on loans better, both of which have wider economic benefits.Copyright 2006 by UPI
