DUBAI, 27th November, 2024 (WAM) -- The opening day of the Global Women's Forum Dubai (GWFD) 2024 saw a pivotal session devoted to discussing the World Bank's 'Women, Business, and the Law Report' at the Global Connect hub.
Bringing together some of the world's leading voices in women's economic empowerment, the session highlighted critical global challenges to women's livelihoods and explored innovative approaches to measuring women's rights and economic opportunities.
Presented by distinguished experts from the World Bank and esteemed regional leaders, the session was moderated by Iva Hamel, Resident Representative for UAE and Bahrain at the World Bank, with Wafa Bani Moustafa, Minister of Social Development of Jordan; Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness & Statistics Centre and Board Member of the UAE Gender Balance Council; and Tea Trumbic, Manager of Women, Business, and the Law, Global Indicators Group, World Bank.
This critical discussion focused on the intersection of women's rights, legal frameworks, and their implementation, and addressed key questions in this regard.
The report has solidified its position as a vital tool for measuring women's economic empowerment, with ten editions published. The latest 2024 report introduces two ground-breaking indicators, Safety and Childcare, which provide critical insights into the policies and frameworks needed to support women's continued participation in the labour force.
The report expands its scope beyond legislative analysis by addressing these pressing areas, setting a new frontier in assessing women's rights and highlighting the intersection of laws, supportive mechanisms, and real-world progress.
The Women, Business, and the Law Report includes ten innovative indicators to measure women's rights within economies, assessing: Safety, Mobility, Workplace, Pay, Marriage, Parenthood, Childcare, Entrepreneurship, Assets and Pension. Through these measurable indicators, the report provides a comprehensive overview of women's economic opportunities and the barriers they continue to face.
The session underscored the transformative impact of empowering women on the global economy. Higher female labour force participation, increased women-owned businesses, and equitable wages can turbocharge economic resilience and innovation worldwide. Research shows that inclusive policies and gender-balanced economies contribute to more robust, resilient societies.
Tea Trumbic said, "It is encouraging to see so many legal reforms at the forefront – these laws are actually doing what they are meant to be doing."
Wafa Bani Moustafa said, "I believe that the Women, Business and the Law report has a significant importance in increasing women's active participation in the economy and presents an opportunity to unleash women's potential."
Hanan Ahli emphasised, "The UAE is committed to fostering gender equality through progressive legal frameworks and actionable policies – the Women, Business and the Law report is an eye opener that helps us realise that we need to ensure we deliver change for women and men in the UAE, while ensuring our reforms align with our cultural values and are guided by Sharia principles."
This session is a key highlight of GWFD 2024's agenda, reaffirming the forum's mission to amplify women's voices, challenge systemic barriers, and create actionable strategies for progress.