Thus, closing gender gaps in public administration is important for ensuring truly inclusive development and democratic governance, and helps to restore trust and confidence in public institutions as well as enhance the sustainability and responsiveness of public policies. This is a critical policy issue in both developing and developed countries. According to UNDP’s 2011 Human Development Report on Sustainability and Equity, analysis shows how power imbalances and gender inequalities at the national level are linked to unequal access to clean water and better sanitation, impacts on land degradation, and other environmental concerns (UNDP, 2011:45-46).