India Climbs to 113th Position in World Bank’s Women, Business and Law Index 2023

In a significant achievement, India has improved its ranking to 113 out of 190 countries in the World Bank’s Women, Business and Law (WBL) index for 2024. The index, which measures gender equality in the law across eight indicators, highlights India’s progress in creating a more inclusive and enabling environment for women in the business sector.

Understanding the Women, Business and Law Index

The Women, Business and Law (WBL) index is a global benchmark that analyzes laws and regulations affecting women’s economic participation in 190 economies. The index assesses eight indicators across various stages of a woman’s career:

• Mobility
• Workplace
• Pay
• Marriage
• Parenthood
• Entrepreneurship
• Assets

• Pension

Countries are scored on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 representing the highest level of legal gender parity.

India’s Performance in WBL Index 2024

In the 2024 edition of the WBL index, India has shown remarkable improvement, climbing to the 113th position with a score of 74.4 out of 100. This marks a significant leap from its previous rank of 117 in 2023.

Key Highlights

• India has made notable progress in the indicators of Workplace, Pay, and Parenthood
• The country has introduced reforms to protect women from sexual harassment in the workplace and ensure equal remuneration for work of equal value
• India has also extended paid maternity leave and introduced paternity leave, promoting a more balanced distribution of childcare responsibilities

Comparison with Other Countries

While India has made significant strides, there is still room for improvement in comparison to top-performing countries like Belgium, France, and Denmark.

Factors Contributing to India’s Progress

Several factors have contributed to India’s improved ranking in the WBL index:

• Legislative reforms: The introduction of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, have strengthened legal protections for women in the workplace
• Government initiatives: Schemes like the Mudra Yojana and the Stand Up India program have provided financial support and entrepreneurship opportunities for women
• Increasing women’s education and workforce participation: With more women pursuing higher education and entering the formal workforce, there is a growing demand for gender-inclusive policies and practices

Example: Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017

The Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017, is a notable example of India’s progress in promoting gender equality in the workplace.

• The act extended paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, making it one of the longest in the world
• It also mandated the provision of crèche facilities for establishments with 50 or more employees
• The act has been instrumental in improving India’s score in the Parenthood indicator of the WBL index

Challenges and Way Forward

Despite the progress made, India still faces several challenges in achieving full legal gender parity.

• Addressing discriminatory laws and practices in the indicators of Marriage and Assets
• Ensuring effective implementation and enforcement of existing laws and policies
• Promoting women’s participation in leadership roles and decision-making processes

To further improve its ranking in the WBL index, India must:

• Review and reform laws that discriminate against women, particularly in the areas of marriage and property rights
• Strengthen mechanisms for the implementation and enforcement of gender-inclusive laws and policies
• Invest in education, skills development, and entrepreneurship programs for women
• Foster a culture of gender equality and challenge societal norms that limit women’s economic participation

India’s improved ranking in the World Bank’s Women, Business and Law index 2024 is a testament to the country’s commitment to promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

• By focusing on legislative reforms, government initiatives, and increasing women’s education and workforce participation, India has created a more enabling environment for women in the business sector.
• However, to achieve full legal gender parity, India must continue to address discriminatory laws and practices, ensure effective implementation of policies, and invest in women’s empowerment.
• By doing so, India can unlock the full potential of its female workforce and drive inclusive economic growth.
• As India moves forward, it is crucial to recognize that gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but also a key driver of sustainable development.
• By creating a level playing field for women in the business sector, India can harness the untapped potential of half its population and build a more prosperous and equitable future for all.