What works for women at work: World Bank Blog By Anna Bjerde, World Bank Managing Director of Operations

Porto-Novo, Benin (PANA) - Across the globe, I’ve met countless men and women driven by the conviction that when policies work for women, societies move forward. Here is a world tour of policies that are opening the gates to greater economic empowerment of women. For the benefit of all. 

Give her ownership—she and her land will prosper

Women grow nearly half of the world’s food, yet less than 15% of them own the land they farm. In Benin, until recently, a woman could farm the same land for years—only to lose it when her husband passed away. But a nationwide effort changed that.

Through land planning and the formal demarcation of community lands, the country is strengthening women’s rights to property. By clearly mapping land boundaries and recognising customary ownership, these reforms have given married women more decision-making power and ensured that widows can remain on their land. 

This is changing long-standing norms, opening the doors for women to invest in their communities, access credit, and grow a future.

Make childcare work for her

Many mothers face the difficult decision of settling for lower-paying jobs or stepping away from the workforce entirely. The consequences—lost income, stalled careers, and slower economic growth—are too big to ignore.

Not so long ago, women in Fiji faced the same tough choices. For them, life has become much easier since the country introduced its first-ever early childhood care policy, aiming to make quality childcare more accessible for everyone. 

The Pacific island recognises the economic benefits: more women in the workforce, stable income, and local businesses no longer suffering from lost productivity. No more juggling work and childcare at the same time. Another example of how women’s empowerment is great for business and transformative for society.

Connect her to a job—and a safe way to get there

In an ideal world, a job would just be a bus ride away. But for too many women, public transportation is not an option. Long waits, unsafe routes, and the risk of harassment create real barriers, limiting their ability to fully participate in the economy.

In India, in the state of Tamil Nadu, ensuring women can reach job or education opportunities safely is a priority. One solution? Safe, affordable women’s hostels that provide housing secured with biometric access, allowing them to work or study in cities without fear for their safety. Paired with better transportation, these efforts are helping more women build their careers—and could inspire similar approaches across the world to boost female workforce participation.

Equip her for the jobs of tomorrow

Women and girls around the world are ready to receive a quality education, join the workforce, and break into high-paying jobs, such as those in the tech industry. To build a future that creates job opportunities for everyone, women must be empowered with the tools they need to thrive.

Two key policies can help: investing in programmes that equip women with digital skills to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow and ensuring that more women embrace the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). In Peru, a partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank, Amazon, and universities is making this a reality: Through training and mentorship, women are gaining the skills they need to break new ground in tech.

Change society through her, and him

While these are encouraging steps, we are still far from a world where women have access to the same opportunities as men. At the current pace, it would take over 100 years to close the gender gap. 

While revoking outdated laws can be hard, shifting old mindsets is even harder. That’s why men must be part of the solution, championing opportunities for women, both at work and at home.

In Lebanon, creative campaigns have proven effective to raise awareness about women’s paid and unpaid work, the importance of shared responsibility, and family-friendly workplace policies. 

Launched with the National Council for Lebanese Women, the campaign reached millions through television, radio, social media, and influencers—sparking conversations about what true support looks like.

While policies matter, there is perhaps no more powerful tool than access to finance to empower women at work. This is why the World Bank Group will support 80 million more women and women-led businesses in securing capital by 2030. We will also help connect 300 million more women to broadband internet, a must in a digital age and a path to better jobs. Because when women work, the world works better.

-0- PANA AR/MA 11March2025