Women, Business and the Law (WBL) is a World Bank Group project collecting data on the laws and regulations that affect women’s economic opportunity.

OUR MISSION

When societies achieve gender equality, economies become more resilient. That's why Women, Business and the Law is committed to informing research and policy discussions about the state of women’s economic opportunities and empowerment. Women, Business and the Law demonstrates the progress made while emphasizing the work still to be done to ensure economic empowerment for all.

OUR DATA

Since 2009, Women, Business and the Law has been enhancing the study of gender equality and informing discussions on improving women's economic opportunities and empowerment. The dataset offers objective and measurable benchmarks for global progress toward gender equality. Comparable across economies, the data is useful for research and policy discussions on improving women's economic opportunities. 

Women, Business and the Law covers 190 economies and eight topics relevant to women's economic participation.

OUR REPORTS

Women, Business and the Law 2023 measures the legal differences on access to economic opportunities between men and women in 190 economies. The data and analysis highlight the work still to be done to ensure economic empowerment for all. All our previous reports are available for download on the Reports page.

OUR TEAM

Women, Business and the Law is researched and written by a team of experienced lawyers and experts. Meet the team.

OUR PROTOCOLS

The Women, Business and the Law Manual and Guide describes the production process for the WBL reports. It serves as an official source of information for team members and interested stakeholders. It aims to depict, consolidate, and codify rules and protocols in a comprehensive way. This document also includes processes intended to shield the team from the undue influence of internal and external stakeholders, presenting the available resources to report and address any such instances. It aims to ensure the transparency, quality, and integrity of our data and research.

Support for Women, Business and the Law is provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Childcare Incentive Fund; Human Rights, Inclusion and Empowerment Umbrella Trust Fund; Jobs Umbrella Multi-Donor Trust Fund; Knowledge for Change Program; State and Peacebuilding Fund; United States Agency for International Development; and William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.