Gender at Work looks closely at existing constraints as well as
policies and practices that show promise in closing the gaps. A
companion to the 2013 World Development Report on jobs, the
report advocates investing more in women’s capabilities and eliminating
structural barriers such as laws that bar women from owning
property, accessing financing, or working without permission
from a male relative.
Public and private policies and actions can promote equality
over a lifetime. This includes education and training during youth
and creating opportunities for women to participate in paid work
during their economically productive years. It extends to implementing
equitable old-age labor regulations combined with appropriate
social protection later in life. We need leadership and
innovation as well as scaled-up efforts to fill critical gaps in knowledge
and evidence, from the private sector, governments, science,
and media—and individuals. This agenda is urgent. Failure to act
represents a huge missed opportunity. We know that reducing
gender gaps in the world of work can yield broad development
dividends: improving child health and education, enhancing poverty
reduction, and catalyzing productivity.
Empowering women and girls is vital in order to achieve our twin
goals: ending extreme poverty by 2030 and boosting shared prosperity.
The World Bank Group is fully committed to this agenda.