Decision-making on economic assistance to developing countries should reflect more opinions from women, according to a government panel.

The panel at the Cabinet Office's Council for Gender Equality cited in a report, compiled Monday, the need to seek active participation of women in making loan decisions and not to regard women in aid-recipient countries as "the socially weak who need care" but as "principal players for development."

The panel conducted research with the aim of prompting gender equality in dispersing official development assistance. After soliciting public opinions, it will present a report to the council in April.