Check out our new areas of research on measuring the legal environment in practice, toward available, affordable, and quality childcare services, women with disabilities and many more.
Research
Areas of Research
Measuring the Legal Environment in Practice
This pilot project presents a new conceptual framework for measuring the implementation gap by examining supportive frameworks for primary legislation and expert opinions of laws in practice.
Toward Available, Affordable, and Quality Childcare Services
Women, Business and the Law presents a new conceptual framework for measuring the legal environment around the provision of childcare services. Related research provides further analysis of the data.
Women with Disabilities
To better understand the impact of such multiple discrimination, WBL is conducting research on the rights of women with disabilities. As part of The World Bank Group’s Commitments on Disability-Inclusive Development, WBL is collecting and analyzing data on the rights of women with disabilities under family law, labor law, and violence against women legislation.
Featured
How Did India Successfully Reform Women’s Rights? Part II : Answers from the ...
This two-part policy brief series traces the development and reform of law in India related to three critical areas that affect women’s rights and economic opportunities. Part II: Answers from the Movement on Protection from Violence.
How Did India Successfully Reform Women’s Rights? Part I: Answers from the ...
This two-part policy brief series traces the development and reform of law in India related to three critical areas that affect women’s rights and economic opportunities. Part I: Answers from the Movement on Equal Inheritance Rights.
Protecting Women and Girls from Cyber Harassment : A Global Assessment of ...
This Brief analyzes laws from 190 economies to assess the extent and coverage of current legislative safeguards women from cyber harassment, one of the many forms of cyber violence.
Filling the Gaps : Childcare Laws for Women's Economic Empowerment
This paper aims to provide global evidence on whether and what attributes of laws governing the provision of childcare services affect women's labor market outcomes.
The Road to Reforming Ethiopia’s Policies on Maternity and Paternity Leave
This brief provides insight into how Ethiopia increased the duration of paid maternity leave from 90 to 120 days and introduced three days of paid paternity leave in 2019.
Emerging Trends in National Financial Inclusion Strategies that Support Women’...
This Brief presents data collected by the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) project on selected contours of National Financial Inclusion Strategies that can support women’s entrepreneurship.
Voices of Female Entrepreneurs
This interview series of female entrepreneurs features WE Empower Challenge awardees and finalists who share their stories and discuss laws that facilitate women’s entrepreneurship as well as remaining opportunities for legal reform to further advance women’s economic empowerment.
Women, Business and the Law Economy Summary Series
The economy summary series delves into legal reforms that advance women’s economic empowerment. It also identifies gaps that persist before men and women achieve equality before the law. Each summary draws on Women, Business and the Law data from 1970 to 2020 and input from civil society organizations.
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Women, Business and the Law Regional Profiles
The regional profile series presents data about laws, regulations, and reform trends that advance women’s economic empowerment. It also highlights persistent gaps and identifies best practices to help achieve equality before the law.
By Category
Research & Publications
Understanding gender inequality and sharing knowledge of its effects.
Briefs
Researching the relationship between gender equality and economic growth.