Women’s participation in the global labor force remains significantly lower than that of men, with just over half of women engaged in the workforce compared to about 80 percent of men. This disparity limits economic growth, as closing the gap could increase average national incomes by nearly 20 percent. With around 1.2 billion young people expected to enter working age in the coming decade, creating more inclusive employment opportunities has become a major priority for international development institutions. The World Bank Group has placed job creation at the center of its mission, emphasizing the importance of expanding economic opportunities for women.
The Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality, a multi-donor trust fund supported by the World Bank Group, plays a key role in advancing this goal by generating research, data, and practical evidence to guide policies that improve women’s access to employment. Through its initiatives, governments and businesses are gaining insights into how to create safer workplaces, improve access to quality jobs, and support women’s professional advancement. The UFGE 2025 Annual Report highlights how evidence-based approaches are shaping policy reforms, development programs, and investments aimed at strengthening women’s economic participation worldwide.
Research and data have been particularly valuable in identifying structural barriers that prevent women from entering or remaining in the workforce. In several countries, evidence has revealed issues such as hiring bias, workplace harassment, and limited job opportunities for women. These insights have helped inform government policies and large-scale development projects designed to improve employment access, strengthen labor protections, and promote safer working environments for women.
Evidence has also been instrumental in driving national policy reforms that address challenges such as limited access to childcare. In many countries, the lack of affordable and reliable childcare services makes it difficult for women to balance family responsibilities with employment. Studies supported by the World Bank Group have encouraged governments to treat childcare as part of a broader economic system by establishing quality standards, defining institutional responsibilities, and introducing policies that support working parents. These reforms aim to reduce barriers to employment while improving job stability for women.
In addition, long-term research programs have helped shape major development initiatives aimed at empowering young women and girls. Evidence from studies across several African countries has highlighted strong educational aspirations among young women but also identified barriers such as poverty, limited career pathways, and restrictive social norms. These findings have informed large-scale programs designed to keep girls in school, improve the transition from education to employment, and promote community support for women’s economic participation.
Reliable gender data has further strengthened development programs by helping governments design more effective policies. Detailed gender statistics have guided initiatives that improve women’s access to financial services, strengthen land ownership rights, and expand support for women-owned businesses. In some cases, policy changes based on this evidence have led to reforms that ensure women are included in land titles or have better access to credit and employment opportunities.
Partnerships between governments, development institutions, and private sector organizations have also proven essential in addressing the complex challenges women face in the labor market. Collaborative initiatives have supported projects that expand flexible work arrangements, strengthen childcare infrastructure, and improve access to financial and digital services for women entrepreneurs. These coordinated efforts demonstrate how combining research, policy reform, and investment can create meaningful opportunities for women’s economic advancement.
Overall, expanding women’s participation in the workforce requires strong evidence to identify barriers, well-designed policies to address them, and coordinated action across multiple sectors. By investing in research and data-driven solutions, governments and development organizations are working to create more inclusive economies where women and girls can fully contribute to economic growth and benefit from improved opportunities.
