Women, Business and the Law 2021

22 FEBRUARY 2021

Women, Business and the Law 2021 is the seventh in a series of annual studies measuring the laws and regulations that affect women’s economic opportunity in 190 economies. The project presents eight indicators structured around women’s interactions with the law as they move through their careers: Mobility, Workplace,  Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension. Amidst a global pandemic that threatens progress toward gender equality, Women, Business and the Law 2021 identifies barriers to women’s economic participation and encourages reform of discriminatory laws. This year, the study also includes important findings on government responses to the COVID-19 crisis and pilot research related to childcare and women’s access to justice. By examining the economic decisions women make throughout their working lives, as well as the pace of reform over the past 50 years, Women, Business and the Law makes an important contribution to research and policy discussions about the state of women’s economic empowerment. The indicators build evidence of the critical relationship between legal gender equality and women’s employment and entrepreneurship.
Related Content
View all

Inclusivity

Integrating Gender and Social Inclusion in Nature-Based Solutions: Guidance Note

The note guides inclusive NBS design, emphasizing gender and social equity to enhance climate, environmental, and development outcomes.
Knowledge Product

Learn more

Inclusivity

Gender Dimensions of Disaster Risk and Resilience: Existing Evidence

The report reviews gendered disaster impacts, identifies gaps, and offers a framework to assess gender dynamics in resilience.
Knowledge Product

Learn more

Inclusivity

Global Responses to COVID-19 in Slums

Slums face high contagion risks; the document reviews global city and country responses to address these vulnerabilities effectively.
Knowledge Product

Learn more