There is no country in the world where women and men have equal opportunities in the labor market

In no country in the world do women have the same opportunities for work as men – research

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In no country in the world do women have the same opportunities as men in the labor market. At the same time, bridging the gap could increase the global gross domestic product by 20%.

Such conclusions were made by the World Bank in its new study, informs The Guardian.

For the first time, researchers have analyzed the impact of child care and the level of security on the position of women in the labor market in 190 countries around the world.

Taking these two factors into account, women enjoy, on average, only 64% of the legal protections enjoyed by men. The previous estimate was slightly higher – 77%.

The author of the report, Thea Trumbich, noted that childcare and safety issues significantly affect women’s ability to work. Violence can physically prevent them from going to work, and caring for a child can make it overwhelming.

Also, during the analysis, the gap between the laws and measures aimed at their implementation was assessed for the first time. It found that, on average, countries have created less than 40% of the systems needed to fully implement the laws.

Globally, women earn only 77 cents for every dollar men earn. Although 95 countries have passed laws on equal pay for women and men, only 35 of them have taken real measures to do so.

Many sub-Saharan African countries have seen rapid progress in law reform in recent years. However, the largest gap between laws and actions was recorded there.

It is noted that less than half of the countries provide financial support or tax benefits to parents of young children. Also, less than a third have child care quality standards that could guarantee their safety. In addition, in 81 countries, women’s pension payments do not take maternity leave into account.

If the child care gap were to be solved, the number of women in the labor market would increase by 1%.

151 countries have laws against sexual harassment in the workplace, but only 40 regulate harassment in public places or in transport. Therefore, women are not protected on their way to work.

According to World Bank Group Chief Economist Indermit Gill, eliminating discriminatory laws and practices against women could significantly improve the economic situation.

“Bridging this gap could increase global gross domestic product by more than 20% – essentially doubling global growth over the next decade. However, reforms have slowed,” he remarked.

Let us remind you that Olena Zelenska told the UN General Assembly that in Ukraine the gender pay gap is 18% in favor of men.