World Bank Flags Global Gaps in Women’s Economic Rights

Laws intended to guarantee equal economic opportunities for women are only half-enforced globally, according to the latest Women, Business and the Law report released by the World Bank Group. The study highlights significant “opportunity gaps” that are limiting economic growth and job creation worldwide.

While the average country scores 67 out of 100 for laws promoting gender equality on paper, enforcement lags sharply. The average enforcement score falls to 53, and the adequacy of systems required to implement these rights drops further to 47. Only 4 per cent of women globally live in economies offering near-full legal equality.

From Laws on Paper to Enforcement Gaps

For the first time, the report assesses not just the presence of laws but also their enforcement. Legal experts surveyed estimated that laws supporting women’s economic participation are enforced only halfway. Economies, on average, have implemented fewer than half the policies and services needed to make these laws effective.

The findings suggest that even if current laws were fully enforced, women would still enjoy only about two-thirds of the legal rights granted to men.

Safety and Childcare Among Weakest Areas

The report evaluates women’s participation across ten domains, including safety from violence, employment protections, entrepreneurship, asset ownership and retirement security. Safety from violence emerged as a major shortcoming. Globally, only a third of the necessary safety laws exist, and enforcement fails in 80 per cent of cases.

Childcare provisions are also inadequate. Fewer than half of the 190 economies studied provide financial or tax support for families. Only 30 per cent of policies required to ensure affordable, quality childcare are in place. In low-income economies, just 1 per cent of childcare support mechanisms exist.

Entrepreneurship and Access to Credit

Although women can legally start businesses on the same terms as men in most economies, only about half promote equal access to credit. Limited financing options continue to constrain women entrepreneurs, particularly in developing regions.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Women, Business and the Law report is published by the World Bank Group.
• The average global score for gender-equal laws is 67 out of 100.
• Only 4% of women live in economies with near-full legal equality.
• Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the highest number of recent legal reforms.

Progress Amid Persistent Inequality

Despite enforcement gaps, 68 economies enacted 113 legal reforms over the past two years. Sub-Saharan Africa led with 33 reforms, while Egypt emerged as the top reformer, increasing its legal equality score significantly. The report underscores that enabling women’s full participation in the workforce is not merely a social objective but an economic imperative for global growth.