Tackling Legal Impediments to Women’s Economic Empowerment

Tackling Legal Impediments to Women’s Economic Empowerment PDF

Author: Katharine Christopherson

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2022-02-18

Total Pages: 74

ISBN-13:

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It is well established that a wide range of legal impediments in countries’ domestic laws have prevented women from achieving full economic empowerment, which in turn has negative macroeconomic implications. In many countries, laws often reflect and perpetuate gender norms that limit women’s economic participation, and removal of these impediments through legal reform has been shown to be an effective method to catalyze greater participation of women in the economy—along with the related macroeconomic benefits. Once legal barriers are removed and provisions for more equal treatment under the law are embedded, the law can also be employed as a powerful tool to incentivize women to pursue equal opportunities, change mindsets regarding the role of women, and hold institutions and individuals accountable for achieving results. Accordingly, it is imperative for countries to focus on eliminating existing legal impediments and designing appropriate incentives to increase women’s participation in the economy. This paper goes beyond previous Fund work by categorizing the key sources of laws that impede women’s economic empowerment, as well as ways in which the law can be used as a tool to create behavioral changes and shifts in perceptions of women in the economy. Case studies of six countries (Iceland, Peru, Rwanda, The Philippines, Tunisia, and the United States) that rank high in gender equality in their respective regions demonstrate how legal reforms have been implemented in differing contexts to help achieve women’s economic empowerment. Given the relevance to the Fund’s mandate, the paper also notes the case for a stepped-up role for the IMF in advising on legal reforms that remove barriers to, and incentivize, women’s economic empowerment. Although this paper highlights dominant belief systems and cultural norms that have contributed to limiting the economic empowerment of women, it does not intend to render any judgment on these systems or norms.

Women, Business and the Law 2021

Women, Business and the Law 2021 PDF

Author: World Bank

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2021-04-05

Total Pages: 381

ISBN-13: 1464816530

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Women, Business and the Law 2021 is the seventh in a series of annual studies measuring the laws and regulations that affect women’s economic opportunity in 190 economies. The project presents eight indicators structured around women’s interactions with the law as they move through their lives and careers: Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, Assets, and Pension. This year’s report updates all indicators as of October 1, 2020 and builds evidence of the links between legal gender equality and women’s economic inclusion. By examining the economic decisions women make throughout their working lives, as well as the pace of reform over the past 50 years, Women, Business and the Law 2021 makes an important contribution to research and policy discussions about the state of women’s economic empowerment. Prepared during a global pandemic that threatens progress toward gender equality, this edition also includes important findings on government responses to COVID-19 and pilot research related to childcare and women’s access to justice.

A Comparative Perspective of Women’s Economic Empowerment

A Comparative Perspective of Women’s Economic Empowerment PDF

Author: Meltem Yenilmez

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2019-05-29

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 0429628994

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The need for the creation of an enabling political, legal and economic environment for women within Turkey is rising. A growing concern is shown at the ethnic divisions and local discrimination against women, which have spilled over into the labor market. This book lends a supporting voice to the economic and social empowerment of women globally, focusing on the real causes and the unpredictable nature of the ongoing conflicts surrounding the issue. The authors bring to the forefront problems of development within various regions and the implementation of projects, which address the state of women, inequality and risks, that are inimical to their participation in the economy. Emphasis is laid on why women should be permitted access to the many opportunities in information technology and exchange, partnership growth and networking in this digital era. The oppressive policies of Turkey are scrutinized to unravel the dangers they pose to the corporate existence of women in the modern world. Furthermore, this book centers on the deliberation on regional politics and issues on gender and women’s empowerment in modern Turkey whilst comparing with other countries. The work sheds light on salient issues and possible remedies within target countries and the concerted efforts made to create a reliable structure to discuss gender conflicts. Ample contributions from countries such as the US, Germany, Serbia, South Africa and United Kingdom are pivotal to comparing and examining the main debates. Addressing several global gender-related examples as well as Turkey’s national principles, this book encourages full involvement of women and girls in deciding the fate of their country. This book serves as the rallying point of an array of informative and mind-expanding works of literature in regional studies, gender studies, migration economy, and area studies in countries like Turkey, USA, Serbia, UK, and India. Experts, students, and readers in the academic sphere may find this work educative and intellectually fulfilling.

Building Inclusive Economies

Building Inclusive Economies PDF

Author: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon

Publisher: Council on Foreign Relations Press

Published: 2017-06

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 9780876097175

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The connection between women's economic participation and prosperity is undeniable, yet national and international economic leaders continue to make and measure policy in ways that undervalue women's work. Gayle Tzemach Lemmon and Rachel B. Vogelstein recommend women's economic empowerment as a tool to accelerate growth and reduce poverty.

Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth

Gender Equality and Inclusive Growth PDF

Author: Raquel Fernández

Publisher: International Monetary Fund

Published: 2021-03-04

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13: 1513571168

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This paper considers various dimensions and sources of gender inequality and presents policies and best practices to address these. With women accounting for fifty percent of the global population, inclusive growth can only be achieved if it promotes gender equality. Despite recent progress, gender gaps remain across all stages of life, including before birth, and negatively impact health, education, and economic outcomes for women. The roadmap to gender equality has to rely on legal framework reforms, policies to promote equal access, and efforts to tackle entrenched social norms. These need to be set in the context of arising new trends such as digitalization, climate change, as well as shocks such as pandemics.

The Statutory Maternity Pay (general) Regulations 1986

The Statutory Maternity Pay (general) Regulations 1986 PDF

Author: Great Britain

Publisher:

Published: 1986-11-24

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9780110679600

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Enabling power:Social security act 1986, ss. 46 (4) (7) (8), 47 (1) (3) (6) (7), 48 (3) (6), 50 (1) (2) (4) (5), 51 (1) (g) (k) (n) (r) (4), 54 (1), 83 (1), 84 (1), sch. 4, paras. 6, 8, 12 (3). Issued:24.11.86. Made:17.11.86. Laid:24.11.86.. Coming into force:Regs. 1, 22, 23: 15.3.87. Remainder ?? Effect:??

Voice and Agency

Voice and Agency PDF

Author: Jeni Klugman

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2014-09-29

Total Pages: 239

ISBN-13: 1464803609

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Despite recent advances in important aspects of the lives of girls and women, pervasive challenges remain. These challenges reflect widespread deprivations and constraints and include epidemic levels of gender-based violence and discriminatory laws and norms that prevent women from owning property, being educated, and making meaningful decisions about their own lives--such as whether and when to marry or have children. These often violate their most basic rights and are magnified and multiplied by poverty and lack of education. This groundbreaking book distills vast data and hundreds of studies to shed new light on deprivations and constraints facing the voice and agency of women and girls worldwide, and on the associated costs for individuals, families, communities, and global development. The volume presents major new findings about the patterns of constraints and overlapping deprivations and focuses on several areas key to women s empowerment: freedom from violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, ownership of land and housing, and voice and collective action. It highlights promising reforms and interventions from around the world and lays out an urgent agenda for governments, civil society, development agencies, and other stakeholders, including a call for greater investment in data and knowledge to benchmark progress.

Women's Economic Empowerment

Women's Economic Empowerment PDF

Author: Kate Grantham

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2021-03-04

Total Pages: 211

ISBN-13: 1000340341

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This book investigates the barriers to women’s economic empowerment in the Global South. Drawing on evidence from a wide range of countries, the book outlines important lessons and practical solutions for promoting gender equality. Despite global progress in closing gender gaps in education and health, women’s economic empowerment has lagged behind, with little evidence that economic growth promotes gender equality. International Development Research Centre’s (IDRC) Growth and Economic Opportunities for Women (GrOW) programme was set up to provide policy lessons, insights, and concrete solutions that could lead to advances in gender equality, particularly on the role of institutions and macroeconomic growth, barriers to labour market access for women, and the impact of women’s care responsibilities. This book showcases rigorous and multi-disciplinary research emerging from this ground-breaking programme, covering topics such as the school-to-work transition, child marriage, unpaid domestic work and childcare, labour market segregation, and the power of social and cultural norms that prevent women from fully participating in better paid sectors of the economy. With a range of rich case studies from Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nepal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uganda, this book is perfect for students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working on women’s economic empowerment and gender equality in the Global South.

Women, Business and the Law 2016

Women, Business and the Law 2016 PDF

Author: World Bank Group

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2015-09-18

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 1464806780

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In a changing world, how can we be sure that women as well as men entrepreneurs and workers obtain the benefit from these changes? Ensuring that women have the same legal opportunities as men is one part of the picture. By measuring where the law treats men and women differently, Women, Business and the Law shines a light on how women's incentives or capacity to work are affected by the legal environment and provides a basis for improving regulation. The fourth edition in a series, Women, Business and the Law 2016: Getting to Equal examines laws and regulations affecting women's prospects as entrepreneurs and employees in 173 economies, across seven areas: accessing institutions, using property, getting a job, providing incentives to work, building credit, going to court, and protecting women from violence. The report's quantitative indicators are intended to inform research and policy discussions on how to improve women's economic opportunities and outcomes.

Enterprising Women

Enterprising Women PDF

Author: Mary Hallward-Driemeier

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2013-06-10

Total Pages: 307

ISBN-13: 0821398091

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This book brings together new household and enterprise data from 41 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to inform policy makers and practitioners on ways to expand women entrepreneurs’ economic opportunities. Sub-Saharan Africa boasts the highest share of women entrepreneurs, but they are disproportionately concentrated among the self-employed rather than employers. Relative to men, women are pursuing lower opportunity activities, with their enterprises more likely to be smaller, informal, and in low value-added lines of business. The challenge in expanding opportunities is not helping more women become entrepreneurs but enabling them to shift to higher return activities. A central question addressed in the book is what explains the gender sorting in the types of enterprises that women and men run? The analysis shows that many Sub-Saharan countries present a challenging environment for women. Four key areas of the agenda for expanding women’s economic opportunities in Africa are analyzed: strengthening women’s property rights and their ability to control assets; improving women’s access to finance; building human capital in business skills and networks; and strengthening women’s voices in business environment reform. These areas are important both because they have wide gender gaps and because they help explain gender differences in entrepreneurial activities. It is particularly striking that while gender gaps in education tend to close with higher incomes, gaps in women’s property rights and in women’s participation in reform processes do not. As simply raising a country’s income is unlikely to be sufficient to give women equal ability to control assets or have greater voice, more proactive steps will be needed. Practical guidelines to move the agenda forward are discussed for each of these key areas.