By Sallieu S. Kanu
WASHINGTON, February 24, 2026 – A new World Bank Group report reveals that laws designed to ensure equal economic opportunities for women are enforced at only half their intended strength worldwide, leaving most women far from achieving full legal equality.
Key Findings
- Limited Enforcement: While countries score an average of 67 out of 100 for laws promoting equality, enforcement drops to 53, and adequacy of systems needed to implement those rights falls further to 47.
- Global Impact: Only 4% of women live in economies that provide nearly full legal equality, restricting growth potential and job creation.
- Safety Concerns: Protection from violence remains a major gap. The report finds only one-third of necessary safety laws exist, and enforcement fails 80% of the time.
Expert Insights
Indermit Gill, World Bank Group Chief Economist, noted that “on paper, most countries are doing reasonably well,” but enforcement gaps reflect “huge opportunity gaps” that undermine economic growth.
Norman Loayza, Director of the Policy Indicators Group, stressed that “true equality begins with safety,” highlighting the lack of effective protections for women at home, work, and in public spaces.
Lead author Tea Trumbic emphasized the urgency: “Over the next decade, 1.2 billion young people—half of them girls—will enter the workforce. Ensuring equal opportunity is an economic must-have, not just a nice-to-have.”
Areas of Concern
- Entrepreneurship: Women can legally start businesses in most economies, but only half have equal access to credit.
- Childcare: Less than half of the 190 economies studied provide financial or tax support for families, and only 30% have policies to ensure affordable, high-quality childcare. In low-income economies, childcare support mechanisms are almost nonexistent.
Signs of Progress
Despite enforcement challenges, reforms are advancing:
- Global Reforms: 68 economies enacted 113 legal reforms in the past two years, with notable progress in entrepreneurship and safety from violence.
- Regional Leadership: Sub-Saharan Africa led with 33 reforms, including Madagascar and Somalia lifting restrictions on women working in construction, manufacturing, and agriculture.
- Top Reformer: Egypt increased its legal equality score by nearly 10 points, extending parental leave, mandating equal pay, and allowing flexible work arrangements.
Outlook
The report underscores that while legal frameworks are improving, enforcement and supportive policies remain critical gaps. Without stronger implementation, economies risk losing the growth potential that comes from women’s full participation in the workforce.