Why Legal Equality for Women Still Doesn’t Exist | Women, Business and the Law 2026

Women still have only two-thirds of the legal rights of men globally. What does this mean for economic growth and opportunity? In this episode of Talking Development, Anna Bjerde discusses the Women, Business and the Law 2026 Report with Tea Trumbic (World Bank Group) and Giovanna Lauro (Equimundo). The conversation explores the barriers limiting women’s economic empowerment, including gaps between laws and enforcement, caregiving responsibilities, and restrictions on entrepreneurship and employment. Ahead of International Women’s Day 2026, this discussion highlights why advancing women’s participation in the economy is essential for global development and shared prosperity. Learn more about the report: http://wrld.bg/2u6X50YprXp 00:00 Introduction – Women and the Global Economy 00:35 Why Women’s Economic Participation Matters 02:20 Legal Equality Gaps Around the World 04:05 Barriers to Women’s Work and Entrepreneurship 06:10 The Role of Care Work and Engaging Men 08:10 Using the Women, Business and the Law Report for Reform 10:25 Final takeaways: Why Women’s Economic Empowerment Matters ABOUT THE WORLD BANK 🌐 The World Bank 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