Synopsis

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No economy can reach its full potential unless women and men participate fully. As half of the world's population, women play an equal role in driving economic growth.

 

Women, Business and Law (2018) is the fifth edition of a series of biennial reports measuring legal obstacles to women engaged in economic activity around the world.

 

Since the World Bank began this study a decade ago, our understanding has grown about how laws influence women's decisions to start and run businesses or get jobs. The analysis is based on data recently collected on seven indicators: access to institutions, use of property, getting a job, encouraging work, going to court, building credit, and protecting women from violence.

 

The study covers 189 economies worldwide. The data show the challenge many women face in seeking economic opportunities. One hundred and four economies still prevent women from working in certain types of jobs simply because they are women. In 59 economies, there are no laws on sexual harassment in the workplace.

 

And in 18 economies, husbands can legally prevent their wives from working. Social media movements like China's; #YoTambien from Latin America; the Middle East; and the US #MeToo highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment and workplace violence.

 

But in many places, women still have no legal recourse. And every day we learn about industries that pay women less than men for doing the same work. What actions can be taken to increase economic opportunities for women? How can governments improve their citizens' labor market participation? Hard data helps answer these questions.

 

By informing politicians about legal obstacles to women's economic opportunities, Woman, Business and Law contributes to the promotion of gender equality. The study celebrates the progress that has been made by emphasizing the work that remains to ensure equal opportunities.