Women, Business and the Law 2026 | Benchmarking Laws for Jobs and Inclusive Growth

Advancing women’s economic participation is a key driver of growth and job creation. Estimates suggest that removing barriers to women’s economic participation could raise global output by 15–20 percent. Yet progress remains uneven, with many countries facing persistent gaps in legislation, implementing policies and institutions, and legal enforcement. Join us online for the global launch of Women, Business and the Law 2026, a flagship World Bank Group report that examines the legal and policy factors shaping women’s access to economic opportunities. Drawing on data from 190 economies, the report benchmarks progress across 10 dimensions of women’s economic life, including pay, assets, entrepreneurship, childcare, and workplace protections. This event will explore where gaps remain, which reforms have proven effective, and how legal and policy choices can support more inclusive and competitive economies. Policymakers, researchers, business leaders, and development practitioners will discuss the evidence behind women’s economic rights and their implications for growth and jobs. Learn more: https://live.worldbank.org/en/event/2026/women-business-law 👤SPEAKERS - Paschal Donohoe — Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer, World Bank Group - Indermit Gill — Chief Economist of the World Bank Group and Senior Vice President for Development Economics - Wafa Saed Bani Mustafa — Minister of Social Development, Jordan - Norman V. Loayza — Director of the Global Indicators Group, World Bank - Gargee Ghosh — President, Global Policy and Advocacy, Gates Foundation - Tea Trumbic — Manager, Women, Business and the Law, World Bank -Lina Maria Useche Kempf — Co‑founder and Head of Institutional Relations, Aliança Empreendedora -Nana Oye Bampoe Addo — Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the President, Republic of Ghana -Sumi Somaskanda — Chief Anchor at BBC News (Moderator) ABOUT US 🌐 The World Bank Group (WBG) is one of the world’s largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development on a livable planet. http://www.worldbank.org WORLDBANK.ORG/LIVE 🔔 Sign up to receive updates about upcoming events: http://wrld.bg/cxHK50W56x3 ▶️ Watch past events: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE9mrcoX-oE-2f1BL-iPPoQ/streams/streams