Governments

Governments are central to Women, Business and the Law (WBL). The WBL team engages with governments to promote fairness and transparency throughout the WBL data‑collection and dissemination process and to facilitate constructive dialogue.

Government Engagement Strategy

The Government Engagement strategy supports the accuracy and relevance of WBL data while fostering sustained and transparent collaboration with government counterparts throughout the report cycle. Through structured engagement, WBL collaborates with governments to validate legal and policy data, promote understanding of the WBL methodology, and support the dissemination and use of WBL data, while strengthening collaboration and promoting exchange of experience.

Government Focal Points

The Government Engagement strategy is implemented primarily through Government Focal Points who serve as the primary point of contact between their respective governments and Women, Business and the Law, facilitating accurate data collection, effective engagement, and sustained collaboration.

Designation

Each government is invited to designate a Focal Point to serve as the primary contact for engaging with WBL. The Focal Points are appointed in coordination with the World Bank Group’s Boards of Directors.

The Focal Points complete WBL questionnaires during each data collection cycle and serve as the primary liaison between the government and WBL.

If you have been appointed as a WBL Focal Point, please email wblengagement@worldbank.org.

Request Meetings

Government focal points can request meetings with the WBL team to learn more about the project, share information, and clarify questions related to the WBL report and methodology.

Types of meetings:

  • Introductory Bilateral Meetings – provide governments with an overview of the WBL project, its objectives, methodology, and engagement process.
  • Technical Bilateral Meetings – offer a detailed discussion of the methodology any clarifications needed to ensure accuracy.
  • In‑Depth Methodology Workshops – deliver practical, hands‑on guidance on how WBL indicators are constructed, enabling participants to better understand and apply the methodological framework.

These meetings help deepen understanding of WBL, support constructive dialogue, and help ensure that legal and policy reforms affecting women’s economic participation are accurately reflected.

To request a meeting with the WBL team, please fill out our meeting request form.

Report New Reforms

Focal points play a vital role in helping WBL identify the most recent legal and policy initiatives by providing data updates and highlighting reforms. Keep WBL informed about new laws and policy changes that impact women's economic opportunity.

To report a reform, please complete the data update form, providing the relevant provisions, adoption, entry into force dates, and a publicly available link to the official source (gazette, ministry website, or legal code repository), providing the relevant legal provisions, dates of adoption and entry into force, and a publicly accessible link to the official source—such as the government gazette, ministry website, or legal code repository.

Disseminate and Use WBL Data

Government Focal Points are invited to participate in events, workshops, webinars, and take part in speaking engagements at the national, regional, and global levels.

Focal Points are also encouraged to use the WBL data, key findings, and research to highlight global trends, draw lessons from other countries’ experiences, and promote evidence‑based legal and policy reforms that enhance women’s economic opportunity.

To stay updated on research and events, join our global community and sign up for the Women, Business, and the Law Newsletter.

Government Focal Points by Economy

This interactive map displays economies with a current Government Focal Point for WBL, identifying participating economies and supporting transparency in government engagement (Last Update: 2026/02/23).

Resources

Contact us

If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback, please contact us at wblengagement@worldbank.org.