Policy Brief

• In all countries, but one, more than 70% of individuals reported experiences of not being able to afford food

• Women are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, with a higher likelihood of sacrificing food within the family

• Experiences of female heads do not necessarily reflect the experiences of females in male-headed households

• Gender attitudes permeate unequal experiences of food insecurity between men and women

• Consequences of food insecurity include lower well-being and a higher incidence of gender-based violence

• In all countries, more than 63 percent of individuals reported an increase in violence or other abuse towards women in their community from their husbands or other family members

• Women have a higher perception of domestic violence than men

• More equitable gender attitudes and higher education are associated with a lower prevalence of domestic violence in the community and physical arguments among family members

• 90 percent of individuals in MENA reported a rise in anxiety or depression within their communities

• Women’s wellbeing was disproportionately affected during COVID-19, with a higher likelihood than men of feeling very sad and depressed about their life situation

• Higher education decreased the likelihood of experiencing sadness and depression, while unemployment increased this likelihood

• Poor physical health and increased concerns related to COVID-19, both in terms of health and economic aspects, are negatively associated with well-being

These country-specific 2-pagers cover 144 countries, providing a quick snapshot of Gender Equality outcomes in the country with comparisons to peers and trends. Each 2-pager curates select indicators under Human Endowments, Economic Opportunity, and Voice and Agency tailored to each region; with a special  with special focus on Women, Business, and the Law, Human Capital Index, and the country’s progress in improving female labor force participation.

The Country Gender Landscape briefs draw on data from the revamped World Bank Gender Data Portal and is automatically programmed to show the latest available data points. 

Gender gaps in labor force participation persist worldwide. Closing this gap can lead to sizeable gains for economies—a 20 percent increase in GDP per capita, on average. Female labor force participation (FLFP) remains low due to lack of skills, assets and networks, time-based constraints, limited mobility, gender discrimination in hiring and promotion, and restrictive gender norms. Effective evidence-backed policy options can increase FLFP. They include providing childcare services, disseminating information on work opportunities and returns to employment, training in socio-emotional skills, addressing norms by engaging partners and family members, and targeting women via social protection, safety net, and public-works programs. The World Bank Group actively supports countries in boosting FLFP through development policy lending, advisory and analytical work, and supporting reforms to address constraining contextual factors, including legal barriers, social norms, and gender-based violence. This note sheds light on an array of policy options that are effective or show promise in improving FLFP.

• Collective findings of 22 studies from low- and middle-income countries provide strong evidence that increasing access to childcare can improve maternal labor market outcomes.

• Childcare hours that accommodate women’s work schedules and the location of the childcare center are important features for maximizing mothers’ labor force participation.

• Mothers who simultaneously work and childmind (as in rural settings and informal self-employment) benefit from childcare in the form of improved productivity.

• Provision of childcare may need to be complemented with other policy tools (e.g., longer parental leave) to ensure attachment to labor market when children are very young.

• Lack of job opportunities or lack of skills that match available work opportunities may prevent women from utilizing available childcare services.