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World Bank report highlights 'shockingly large' gap between gender equality laws and enforcement
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 24, 2026
3 min readLast updated: February 24, 2026
Quick Summary
A World Bank report highlights a ‘shockingly large’ gap between gender equality laws and enforcement. Legal rights average 67/100, enforcement 53, and supportive systems 47 across 190 economies, with childcare and safety lagging most.
World Bank Flags Vast Gap Between Gender Equality Laws and Enforcement
JOHANNESBURG, Feb 24 (Reuters) - A World Bank report warned of a "shockingly large" gap between legislation promoting gender equality and its enforcement, with no country currently ensuring all the legal rights required for women's full economic participation.
Key Findings on Law-Enforcement Gaps
The annual report, released on Tuesday, emphasized that while many nations have made progress on laws that advance women's economic rights, weak enforcement systems and institutional shortcomings have hindered their real-world impact.
"There is a shockingly large gap between the two," the report stated, referring to the divide between gender-equal legislation and the mechanisms needed to enforce those laws effectively.
Legal Rights vs. Enforcement Scores
The global index tracking women's economic equality returned an average score of 67 out of 100 for legal rights but dropped to 53 for law enforcement and 47 for the adequacy of supportive legal systems, policies and institutions.
"Less than 5% of women worldwide live in economies that provide anything close to full legal equality," the report noted. "And not a single economy has secured all legal rights needed for women's full economic participation."
The report underscored that even in economies with modernized legal frameworks, women often face restrictions on the types of work they can perform or the businesses they can establish. It called the situation "dumb" at a time when many countries are grappling with sluggish economic growth and aging populations.
Regional Disparities in Implementation
Regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa, identified as most in need of greater women's workforce participation, impose some of the largest legal and enforcement barriers, despite increasing numbers of young women entering the labor market.
What the Index Measures
The report measured women's economic opportunities across 10 categories: safety, mobility, work, pay, marriage, parenthood, childcare, entrepreneurship, assets and pensions. Childcare and safety were identified as the most deficient areas globally.
Contributors: 2,600 Experts
Coverage: 190 Economies
Data as of October 1, 2025
Methodology and Data Scope
The findings, encompassing data from 190 economies as of October 1, 2025, were compiled from input provided by more than 2,600 legal experts, academics, civil society representatives, and public officials, the World Bank said.
Reform Activity, 2023–2025
Despite these challenges, some progress was noted. Between October 2023 and October 2025, 68 economies enacted 113 legal reforms aimed at expanding women's economic opportunities. Countries leading these advancements included Egypt, Madagascar, Somalia, Oman, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan.
(Reporting by Colleen Goko; Editing by Anil D'Silva)
Key Takeaways
- •The World Bank finds a substantial gap between gender-equal laws and their enforcement worldwide.
- •Average scores: 67 for legal rights, 53 for enforcement, and 47 for supportive systems and institutions.
- •Less than 5% of women live in economies approaching full legal equality; none provide complete rights.
- •Childcare and safety emerge as the weakest areas across 190 economies.
- •From Oct 2023–Oct 2025, 68 economies made 113 reforms, led by Egypt, Madagascar, Somalia, Oman, Jordan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Frequently Asked Questions about World Bank report highlights 'shockingly large' gap between gender equality laws and enforcement
1What is the main topic?
The article covers a World Bank report showing a large gap between gender equality laws and their enforcement, detailing how this undermines women’s full economic participation across 190 economies.
2Which areas are most deficient globally?
Childcare and safety score the lowest, revealing weak protections and support systems that limit women’s participation in work and business.
3Where are the biggest barriers and what reforms occurred?
Regions including Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and MENA face the largest legal and enforcement gaps. Between Oct 2023 and Oct 2025, 68 economies enacted 113 reforms, led by several Middle Eastern and African countries.
