'This report underlines the fact that women’s presence in the labour market is increasingly significant for economic growth and development at both national and enterprise levels. It seeks to demonstrate the benefits that enterprises stand to gain in recognizing and supporting women’s talent. As women surpass men in educational attainment in most regions, they represent an incredible talent pool and national resource. Women are running more businesses, and consumer-spending decisions are increasingly in their hands. These realities often seem to be overlooked, even though there is an intensive search for global talent and skills as economies are more and more based on knowledge and technology. .The report shows that women still have to deal with a number of hurdles to reach positions as CEOs and company board members. While they have advanced in business and management they continue to be shut out of higher level economic decision-making despite the last decade of activism to smash the “glass ceiling”.'
'Women, Business and the Law 2016 examines laws and regulations affecting women’s prospects as entrepreneurs and employees across 173 economies. The report’s quantitative indicators are intended to inform policy discussions on how to remove legal restrictions on women and promote research on how to improve women’s economic inclusion.'