The Global Leaders in Women’s Freedom of Movement: WBL 2026
The World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) index serves as a critical benchmark for global gender equality. In 2026, the Mobility indicator—which measures a woman's legal right to choose where to live, travel, and apply for a passport—remains the highest-scoring category worldwide. While many nations have achieved legal parity, the following seven countries stand out for their perfect scores and robust implementation frameworks.
7 Leading Countries in Freedom of Movement
These nations have not only codified equal movement into law but also ensure that administrative processes (like obtaining a passport) are identical for all citizens regardless of gender.
| Country | Mobility Score | Key Framework Strength |
| Belgium | 100 | Exceptional integration of legal rights into labor mobility. |
| Canada | 100 | Top-tier scores in both legal and supportive frameworks. |
| Denmark | 100 | Minimal administrative barriers for domestic migration. |
| France | 100 | Strong enforcement perceptions regarding personal autonomy. |
| Iceland | 100 | Leader in removing gender-based travel restrictions. |
| Latvia | 100 | Rapid advancement in legal equality across all mobility pillars. |
| Spain | 100 | Consistently high performance in the "Freedom of Movement" sub-index. |
Understanding the Mobility Framework
The WBL index evaluates Freedom of Movement based on three specific legal questions:
Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man?
Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man?
Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man?
The Implementation Gap
While over 100 countries now score a perfect 100 in the legal mobility framework, the 2026 report highlights a growing "implementation gap." This refers to the difference between having a law on the books and women actually feeling safe or empowered to move freely.
Legal Frameworks: High global average (approx. 90%).
Supportive Frameworks: Lower global average (approx. 45%), focusing on the availability of services like safe public transport.
Enforcement Perceptions: The newest metric, which reveals that social norms often still restrict movement even where laws are equal.
Regional Progress Highlights
Outside of the top-performing high-income nations, significant strides have been made:
Middle East & North Africa: Recent reforms in several Gulf nations have significantly boosted their mobility scores by removing requirements for male guardian permission for passport applications.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Increased focus on digital identity systems has streamlined the ability for women to travel and access services independently.
Belgium: A Global Leader in Women’s Freedom of Movement
Belgium is consistently recognized as one of the top-performing nations in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) index. As of 2026, it remains part of an elite group of economies that have achieved near-perfect legal parity between men and women, particularly excels in the Mobility and Workplace indicators.
Why Belgium Leads in Freedom of Movement
In the 2026 assessment, Belgium secured a perfect score of 100 in the Mobility category. This means there are no legal distinctions between men and women regarding:
Choosing a place of residency: Women have the same legal right as men to decide where to live.
Domestic and international travel: There are no requirements for male guardianship or spousal permission to travel.
Passport applications: The process for obtaining official travel documents is identical for all citizens regardless of gender.
Performance Across Key Indicators
Belgium’s success is built on a comprehensive legal framework that protects women throughout their professional lives.
1. The Workplace and Pay
Belgium has some of the most advanced "Equal Pay" laws in the world.
The Pay Gap: Belgium maintains one of the lowest gender pay gaps in the European Union (roughly 5%).
Legal Protections: It scores 100 in the Workplace indicator due to strict laws prohibiting gender-based discrimination in hiring and sexual harassment at work.
2. Parenthood and Shared Responsibility
Unlike many nations where the burden of childcare falls solely on women, Belgium’s legal structure encourages shared responsibility:
Paid Leave: Substantial paid maternity and paternity leave policies are enshrined in law.
Flexible Work: Legislation provides employees the "right to request" flexible working arrangements to balance family life.
3. Entrepreneurship
Belgium has removed virtually all barriers to women starting and running businesses. This includes equal rights to sign contracts, register a business, and open bank accounts without interference.
The "Implementation" Reality
The 2026 WBL report introduced a deeper look at Supportive Frameworks (the policies that help laws work) and Enforcement Perceptions (how people feel the law works in practice).
| Category | Legal Score | Enforcement/Support Score |
| Mobility | 100 | 100 |
| Pay | 100 | 85 |
| Safety | 100 | 78 |
Insight: While Belgium’s laws are perfect, the 2026 data shows that "Safety" remains the area with the largest gap between the written law and the lived experience, specifically regarding the reporting and prosecution of harassment.
Canada Women’s Freedom of Movement
Canada is consistently recognized as a world leader in gender equality, particularly within the Women, Business and the Law (WBL) framework. In the 2026 assessment, Canada maintained a perfect score in the Mobility category, reflecting a legal and social environment where women exercise full autonomy over their physical movement.
100/100: The Mobility Benchmark
A perfect score in Mobility signifies that there are no gender-based legal restrictions on a woman’s ability to move, work, or travel. Canada achieves this by ensuring:
Equal Residency Rights: Women have the same legal right as men to choose where they live.
Freedom of Domestic Travel: There are no restrictions on women traveling alone within the country.
Unrestricted International Travel: Women can apply for a passport and travel abroad without the consent of a male guardian or spouse.
Administrative Parity: The process for obtaining official identification and travel documents is identical for all citizens, regardless of gender.
The Triple-Pillar Success
The 2026 WBL report evaluates countries through three distinct lenses: the laws on the books, the systems that support them, and the reality of their enforcement. Canada is one of the few nations to show nearly seamless alignment across all three.
| Pillar | Score | What This Means for Canada |
| Legal Frameworks | 100 | Total equality in written legislation. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 100 | Robust infrastructure, like safe public transit and accessible legal aid. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 96.8 | High expert and public confidence that these rights are protected. |
Why Canada Leads in Implementation
Canada’s success isn't just about what is written in the law; it's about the "Supportive Frameworks" that make those laws functional in daily life.
Gender-Based Analysis (GBA Plus): Canada integrates gender-sensitive data into its urban planning. This ensures that transportation networks and public spaces are designed to be safe and accessible for women, which is a key factor in the Supportive Frameworks score.
Economic Agency: The ability to move freely is directly linked to Canada’s high rate of female entrepreneurship. By 2026, the removal of mobility barriers has contributed to women owning roughly 20% of all small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the country.
Digital Governance: Canada’s streamlined, gender-neutral digital identity and passport systems remove the "administrative friction" that often slows down women in other regions.
Comparative Perspective
While over 100 countries globally have achieved a perfect score in Legal Mobility, very few match Canada’s performance in Enforcement. While the global average for the implementation of these laws remains near 50%, Canada’s near-perfect marks suggest that a woman's right to move is not just a legal theory, but a practiced reality.
Denmark Women’s Freedom of Movement
Denmark is widely recognized as a global frontrunner in gender equality. In the Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 assessment, Denmark maintains its position as a top-tier nation, particularly excelling in the Mobility indicator. This reflects a society where legal rights are deeply integrated into the social and economic fabric, ensuring women have total independence in their physical movement.
100/100: The Mobility Standard
A perfect score of 100 in the Mobility category indicates that Denmark has removed all legal distinctions between men and women regarding their freedom of movement. This is achieved through several key legal pillars:
Choice of Residence: Women have the same legal right as men to choose where to live, whether for work, study, or personal reasons.
Domestic and International Travel: There are no requirements for spousal or male guardian consent for a woman to travel within Denmark or across international borders.
Identity and Documentation: The process for applying for a passport or national identification is entirely gender-neutral, with no additional administrative hurdles for women.
Performance Across the Three Pillars
The 2026 report evaluates countries based on the "Three Pillar" approach: the written law, the support systems in place, and the public's perception of enforcement. Denmark shows a high level of consistency, though it identifies specific areas for further policy support.
| Pillar | Score | Context |
| Legal Frameworks | 88.4 | Strong laws governing pay, marriage, and assets. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 64.3 | Measures the availability of services like childcare and legal aid. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 88.6 | High confidence among experts that laws are followed in practice. |
Beyond Mobility: Key Success Areas
Denmark’s leadership extends into other vital indicators that support a woman's economic agency:
1. Pay and Workplace Equality
Denmark scores a perfect 100 in the Pay and Workplace categories. The country has eliminated restrictions on women working in industries traditionally dominated by men and has implemented robust legislation requiring equal pay for work of equal value.
2. Parenthood and Shared Care
The Danish model is famous for its approach to family life. The legal framework provides extensive paid leave for both parents, which prevents the "motherhood penalty" and ensures that mobility and career progression are not stalled by starting a family.
3. Assets and Inheritance
Denmark ensures total equality in how property is managed and inherited. Women have the same rights as men to own, manage, and dispose of property, which provides the financial foundation necessary for true freedom of movement.
The "Supportive Framework" Focus
While Denmark’s laws are near-perfect, the 2026 data suggests that the next frontier for the country is strengthening Supportive Frameworks. This includes increasing the accessibility of specialized support services for women in the "Safety" category and continuing to refine childcare affordability to ensure that legal freedom of movement translates into total economic participation.
France Women’s Freedom of Movement
France is a consistent global leader in gender equality, standing as one of the few nations to bridge the gap between having equal laws and ensuring they work in practice. In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, France achieved an exceptional performance, specifically in the Mobility pillar.
1. The Perfect Score: Mobility (100/100)
France secured a perfect score of 100 across all three sub-pillars of the Mobility indicator. This makes it a rare "triple-threat" leader, where the law, the support systems, and public perception are all in total alignment.
Legal Framework: Women have the same rights as men to choose where to live, travel domestically, and travel abroad.
Supportive Framework: France has specific policies and infrastructure—such as gender-sensitive public transportation plans—that actively facilitate women's safe movement.
Enforcement Perception: Legal experts and citizens overwhelmingly agree that these rights are fully respected and enforced by public authorities.
2. France’s "Triple Pillar" Profile
The 2026 report reveals that France outperforms both the global and the High-Income OECD averages. While many countries have good laws, France is recognized for its Supportive Frameworks, which turn legal rights into economic opportunities.
| Pillar | France Score | Global Average |
| Legal Frameworks | 92.0 | 66.9 |
| Supportive Frameworks | 90.2 | 46.8 |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 80.9 | 53.3 |
3. Leading Beyond Mobility
France’s commitment to equality extends into nearly every stage of a woman's professional life. It scores a perfect 100 in the legal frameworks for:
Work: Laws prohibiting discrimination in hiring and protecting against sexual harassment.
Pay: Strict "Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value" legislation.
Parenthood: Some of the world’s most robust protections for working mothers and fathers.
Assets: Full equality in property ownership and inheritance.
Notable Distinction: Femicide Legislation
France is highlighted in the 2026 report as one of only five High-Income OECD economies with specific laws that address femicide. This contributed to its high standing in the "Safety" discussions, even as it works to further improve enforcement in that area.
4. The 2026 G7 Presidency and Gender Equality
As the holder of the G7 Presidency in 2026, France has placed "Global Imbalances"—including the gender gap—at the heart of its international agenda.
Women 7 (W7) Participation: France is leading the call for "Rights, Justice, and Action," pushing for increased financial support for feminist organizations worldwide.
Domestic Focus: Locally, the French High Council for Gender Equality continues to target "digital masculinism" and online harassment as key security issues for 2026.
Areas for Improvement
Despite its high scores, the WBL 2026 data indicates that France still has room to grow in Childcare and Entrepreneurship Enforcement. While the laws are strong, experts suggest that further reducing the administrative burden for women starting businesses would push France even closer to a total score of 100.
Iceland Women’s Freedom of Movement
Iceland is widely regarded as the most gender-equal country in the world, having topped the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index for 16 consecutive years. In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Iceland continues to set the global standard, particularly in the Mobility pillar where it achieves a perfect score.
1. Mobility: Total Freedom of Agency
In the 2026 assessment, Iceland secured a perfect score of 100/100 for its Mobility Legal Framework. This reflects a long-standing legal tradition of ensuring women have the same physical and administrative agency as men.
Equal Residency and Travel: There are no legal restrictions on women choosing where to live or traveling alone, either domestically or internationally.
Passport and Identity: Applying for travel documents is a completely gender-neutral process.
Safety and Public Transit: Iceland’s Supportive Frameworks for mobility are among the strongest in the world, with public infrastructure designed to ensure safe and accessible transit for all.
2. The 2026 WBL "Three Pillar" Performance
The 2026 report highlights that while Iceland has near-perfect laws, it is also a leader in making those laws a reality through the "Supportive" and "Enforcement" pillars.
| Pillar | Iceland Score | Context |
| Legal Frameworks | 86.1 | Perfect scores (100) in Mobility, Pay, Marriage, and Assets. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 67.7 | High scores in Pay and Parenthood support systems. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 77.2 | Significantly higher than the global average of 53.3. |
3. Why Iceland Leads: Key Economic Drivers
Iceland’s success in the WBL index is driven by "pioneering" legislation that goes beyond the basics of freedom of movement.
Equal Pay Certification: Iceland was the first country in the world to require companies to prove they pay men and women equally for the same work through a mandatory certification process.
Shared Parenthood: The "Parenthood" score is a perfect 100. Iceland’s law mandates shared parental leave, which ensures that both parents take time off, reducing the "motherhood penalty" in the workplace.
Representation in Power: As of 2026, roughly 46% of the seats in Iceland's parliament (Althingi) are held by women, ensuring that gender-responsive policies remain a legislative priority.
4. Addressing the Gaps (2024–2026)
Even for a global leader, the 2026 data identifies specific areas for further progress:
Safety: While Iceland has strong laws, the "Safety" pillar (31.25) is currently its lowest score. This is due to the WBL's strict new 2026 criteria regarding the existence of specialized femicide legislation and 24/7 support services.
Entrepreneurship: The report suggests that while women can legally start businesses, there is still room to improve Supportive Frameworks that help women access credit and government contracts at the same rate as men.
Historical Context: The Power of the Strike
Iceland's path to the top was cemented by the 1975 Women's Day Off, where 90% of women stopped work to demonstrate their importance to the economy. This tradition of "striking for equality" continued as recently as October 2025, where tens of thousands, including the Prime Minister, protested to demand the total closure of the remaining gender pay gap.
.jpg "Latvia Women’s Freedom of Movement")
Latvia Women’s Freedom of Movement
Latvia is a standout performer in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, particularly within the European and Central Asian region. While it may not always share the same spotlight as the Nordic countries, Latvia’s legal architecture for women is among the most robust in the world, achieving perfect scores across several critical life-cycle indicators.
1. Perfect Score in Mobility (100/100)
In the 2026 assessment, Latvia continues to hold a perfect 100 in the Mobility Legal Framework. This places it alongside global leaders like France and Canada. In Latvia, there are no legal distinctions between men and women regarding:
Choosing where to live: Women have full legal autonomy to decide their place of residence.
Domestic and International Travel: Women can travel within the country and abroad without requiring permission from a spouse or male guardian.
Passport Access: The process for obtaining a passport and other identity documents is identical for all citizens.
2. The "Three Pillar" Reality in Latvia
The WBL 2.0 framework introduced in 2024-2026 reveals that while Latvia's laws are exemplary, there is a moderate "implementation gap" that the government is actively working to close.
| Pillar | Score | Analysis |
| Legal Frameworks | 82.3 | High performance in Mobility, Work, Pay, and Parenthood. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 62.9 | Higher than the global average (46.8) but indicates a need for more institutional support. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 75.6 | Strong expert confidence that equality laws are respected in practice. |
3. Notable Strengths and Recent Progress
Latvia outperforms the regional average for high-income OECD economies in several categories:
Property and Assets (100/100): Latvia is one of the few high-income economies with specific policies that provide incentives for women to register property, ensuring long-term financial security.
Workplace Equality (100/100): The legal framework scores perfectly for laws protecting against gender discrimination in recruitment and ensuring flexible work arrangements.
Parenthood (100/100): Latvia has established comprehensive legal protections for women’s work during and after pregnancy, including strong paid leave provisions.
Ratification of the Istanbul Convention: In April 2024, Latvia officially ratified the Istanbul Convention, a major milestone in strengthening its legal and supportive frameworks for the Safety indicator.
4. Areas for Future Focus
Despite its success, the 2026 data identifies two specific areas where Latvia can continue to improve:
Entrepreneurship (50.0): While women can legally start businesses, the report suggests a need for better Supportive Frameworks, such as gender-responsive public procurement and improved access to credit.
Safety Services: While the legal framework is improving (especially following the 2024 ratification), the Supportive Framework score for Safety (31.25) suggests a need for more 24/7 hotlines and specialized police units to handle gender-based violence.
Spain Women’s Freedom of Movement
Spain is a top global performer in the 2026 assessment of women’s economic rights. It is one of the few high-income economies to achieve near-perfect scores across all legal indicators, serving as a pioneer in bridging the "implementation gap" through robust supportive policies and active enforcement.
100/100: The Mobility Standard
In 2026, Spain maintains a perfect 100 in the Mobility legal framework. This confirms that Spanish law guarantees women total freedom of movement, with no gender-based restrictions on:
Domestic and International Travel: No permission or signature is required from a spouse or male guardian for a woman to travel.
Choice of Residence: Women have the same legal right as men to decide where to live and work.
Identity Documents: Passport and national ID application processes are identical for all citizens, ensuring administrative parity.
Performance Across the Three Pillars
Spain stands out because its high scores aren't just on paper. The 2026 data highlights Spain's consistency across the three pillars of measurement, outperforming the global average significantly in the "Supportive" category.
| Pillar | Spain Score | Global Average |
| Legal Frameworks | 98.0 | 66.9 |
| Supportive Frameworks | 88.0 | 46.8 |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 86.0 | 53.3 |
Key Insight: Spain is a global outlier for its Supportive Frameworks. While many countries have equal laws but lack the infrastructure to back them up, Spain has invested heavily in services—such as legal aid and gender-sensitive public transit—that make these rights effective in daily life.
Leading Beyond Mobility: Safety and Pay
Spain’s commitment to equality extends into the most challenging areas of gender policy:
1. Safety and Femicide Legislation
Spain is recognized as a leader in the Safety pillar. It is one of the few economies with specific laws addressing femicide and comprehensive 2024-2025 reforms that expanded 24/7 support services for survivors of gender-based violence.
2. Pay and Workplace Equality
Spain scores a perfect 100 in the Pay and Workplace categories. This is driven by strict "Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value" legislation and a legal framework that prohibits gender discrimination in hiring while protecting against sexual harassment.
3. Entrepreneurship and Assets
Unlike many nations, Spain has implemented specific policies to ensure women have equal access to credit. It also scores a perfect 100 in the Assets category, ensuring women have equal rights to own, manage, and inherit property.
2026 Strategic Focus
As of 2026, Spain has shifted its focus toward Sustainable Mobility. New regulations require large companies to implement travel plans that prioritize safe and accessible transport for employees. This directly supports women's ability to commute safely, further reinforcing their freedom of movement and economic participation.
Strategic Initiatives Driving Women’s Freedom of Movement
While these seven countries—Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, and Spain—all boast perfect legal scores in Mobility, their real success lies in the specific Supportive Frameworks and projects they have implemented. In 2026, these nations are moving beyond "equal laws" to "equal access" through targeted infrastructure and economic initiatives.
1. Spain: The Sustainable Mobility Revolution
Spain is currently the global leader in integrating gender into transport policy.
The Sustainable Mobility Law (2026): By December 5, 2026, all Spanish companies with more than 200 employees must implement "Sustainable Mobility to Work Plans." These plans are required to address the specific safety and accessibility needs of women, ensuring that the commute to work is not a barrier to employment.
Gender-Responsive Transit: Spanish cities are piloting "stop-on-request" bus programs at night to reduce the distance women have to walk in the dark, directly supporting their freedom of movement.
2. Australia: The "Women Deliver" Mobilization
Australia has positioned itself as the 2026 hub for global gender justice.
Women Deliver 2026 (Melbourne): Australia is hosting the world’s largest gender equality conference in April 2026. A key project within this is the Wiyi Yani U Thangani Institute, which focuses on ensuring First Nations women can move and lead safely within global justice conversations.
Workplace Gender Targets: Starting in 2026, large Australian employers (500+ staff) must set and meet specific gender equality targets, including flexible work arrangements that facilitate better mobility for caregivers.
3. Canada: The Accessibility Action Plan (2026–2029)
Canada’s 2026 focus is on Intersectional Mobility—ensuring that freedom of movement applies to women of all abilities.
Accessibility Action Plan: Launched in early 2026, this project focuses on "Barrier-Free Canada." It includes retrofitting public spaces and workspaces to support women with reduced mobility and providing "adapted transport" information through centralized digital hubs.
GBA Plus Integration: Canada continues to use "Gender-Based Analysis Plus" to audit all federal infrastructure projects, ensuring that new bridges, roads, and transit systems are designed with a gender-sensitive lens.
4. France: The Feminist Foreign Policy in Action
France is using its G7 Presidency in 2026 to export its mobility and safety standards.
Support Fund for Feminist Organizations (FSOF): France has committed millions in 2026 to support grassroots organizations in 160 countries. Many of these projects focus on "Safe Cities" initiatives, replicating French urban safety models that allow women to move freely without fear of harassment.
The Karama Project: A French-supported initiative helping women survivors of violence reclaim their mobility and dignity through social, legal, and vocational assistance.
5. Iceland: Equal Pay & Shared Care
Iceland’s projects focus on the economic ability to move.
Equal Pay Certification: Iceland continues to enforce its world-first requirement for companies to prove equal pay. This financial independence is the primary driver of women's ability to relocate or travel for career advancement.
Parenthood Projects: In 2026, Iceland is further refining its "shared care" model, ensuring that paternity leave is used at high rates, which prevents women's mobility from being restricted by domestic expectations.
6. Denmark: Digital Identity & Entrepreneurship
Denmark is focusing on the "administrative mobility" of women.
Gender-Neutral Digital ID: Denmark’s seamless digital governance ensures that women have identical access to business registration and travel documents.
Entrepreneurship Support: New 2026 measures provide targeted credit access for women-led startups, recognizing that physical mobility is often tied to the financial freedom to start a business anywhere in the country.
7. Austria: Gender Budgeting in Urban Design
Austria (specifically Vienna) is a world leader in "Gender Mainstreaming" in urban planning.
Gender-Sensitive Lighting & Design: Ongoing 2026 projects in Austrian cities focus on widening sidewalks for strollers and improving street lighting. These small physical changes are proven to increase the frequency with which women use public spaces and transit.
Supportive Frameworks: Austria maintains one of the highest scores for "Access to Justice," ensuring that any violation of a woman's right to move is met with specialized legal support.
Women’s Freedom of Movement: The Path from Legal Equality to Real-World Agency
The World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 data reveals a world in transition. While the global community has made historic strides in establishing legal parity—particularly in Mobility, where many nations now score a perfect 100—the focus has shifted from the "books" to the "streets."
The seven leading nations highlighted—Australia, Austria, Finland, Spain, France, the United Kingdom, and Canada—represent the gold standard not just for their legislation, but for their commitment to closing the "implementation gap."
Key Summary of Global Progress
Mobility as a Catalyst: Freedom of movement remains the strongest indicator globally. When a woman can choose where to live and travel safely, she is significantly more likely to participate in the labor force and start a business.
The New Standard of Measurement: The introduction of Supportive Frameworks and Enforcement Perceptions in the 2026 report has redefined success. A "perfect" country is no longer one that simply lacks discriminatory laws, but one that actively provides safe transit, accessible legal aid, and 24/7 protection services.
Regional Momentum: Beyond the top-tier economies, regions like the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa are seeing rapid reforms in passport and residency laws, signaling a global shift toward recognizing physical autonomy as a fundamental economic driver.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As we move toward the next assessment cycle, the challenge for the global community lies in Safety and Childcare. While a woman in 2026 may have the legal right to travel for work, her actual ability to do so still depends on the safety of her commute and the availability of support for her family.
The success of leaders like Spain and Iceland proves that with intentional policy—such as gender-responsive budgeting and mandatory equal pay certification—the gap between legal promise and lived reality can be closed.
World Bank WBL: Freedom of Movement — FAQ
The Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report introduced a more complex way of measuring freedom of movement. It no longer just asks "is it legal?" but also "does it work?" Below are the most frequent questions regarding how the Mobility indicator is calculated and what the new 2.0 framework means for global leaders.
1. What exactly does the WBL "Mobility" indicator measure?
The Mobility indicator tracks a woman’s physical agency and her ability to move freely, which is foundational to her economic participation. It is broken down into three pillars:
Legal Frameworks: Can a woman choose where to live, travel domestically, travel internationally, and apply for a passport in the same way as a man?
Supportive Frameworks: Are there specific policies or government plans that consider women’s safety and needs in public transportation?
Enforcement Perceptions: Based on expert surveys, to what extent do public authorities actually enforce these rights in daily life?
2. Why do some countries have a score of 100 in laws but a lower overall score?
This is the "Implementation Gap" highlighted in the 2026 report. While over 100 economies have reached legal parity in mobility (scoring 100 on the Legal Framework), many fail to provide the Supportive Frameworks (like safe transit) or lack strong Enforcement.
Global Stat: While the legal average for mobility is high, the global average for Supportive Frameworks is only 47%, and Enforcement Perceptions sit at 53%.
3. How did the 2026 report change the scoring for Mobility?
The 2026 edition moved away from simple "Yes/No" (binary) scoring for certain indicators. It now uses partial scoring to recognize incremental progress. For example, if a country has a policy for safe transport but lacks a budget to implement it, they may receive partial credit rather than a full 0 or 1.
4. What are the "Strategic Projects" mentioned in the report for leading countries?
Leading countries stay ahead by launching specific initiatives that go beyond basic laws:
Spain: The Sustainable Mobility Law (enforced by Dec 2026) requiring companies to create safe commute plans for women.
France: Using its G7 Presidency to fund the Feminist Foreign Policy which exports "Safe Cities" urban planning models globally.
Canada: Integrating GBA Plus (Gender-Based Analysis Plus) into all federal infrastructure to ensure transit is designed for women’s specific travel patterns.
5. Does the report consider safety during travel?
Yes. Under the new WBL 2.0 methodology, the Safety and Mobility indicators are closely linked. The report acknowledges that a woman’s legal right to travel is meaningless if she faces sexual harassment in public spaces or on transit. Countries like Austria (Vienna) are cited for "gender-mainstreaming" in urban design—improving street lighting and widening sidewalks to facilitate safer movement.
6. Can a woman’s mobility affect her "Entrepreneurship" score?
Absolutely. The WBL report identifies a "connected chain." If a woman cannot travel safely or apply for a passport independently, she cannot easily register a business, visit clients, or access markets. This is why mobility is often called the "gateway indicator" for economic empowerment.
Women’s Freedom of Movement: WBL Glossary of Terms
The following glossary defines the key metrics and concepts used by the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report to evaluate a woman's legal and practical ability to move freely.
| Term | Definition |
| Mobility Indicator | The specific WBL metric measuring a woman's legal right to choose her residence and travel domestically or abroad. |
| Legal Frameworks | The formal laws "on the books" that dictate whether a woman requires a guardian's permission to travel or apply for a passport. |
| Supportive Frameworks | The existence of government policies, budgets, and urban plans (e.g., safe public transit) that facilitate women's movement. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | A qualitative measure based on expert surveys regarding how effectively freedom of movement laws are applied in daily life. |
| Passport Parity | The requirement that the administrative process for obtaining travel documents be identical for both men and women. |
| Gender-Responsive Transit | Infrastructure projects designed to address women’s specific travel patterns, such as "trip-chaining" or nighttime safety needs. |
| Domestic Autonomy | The legal right of a woman to choose where to live (residency) independently of her spouse or a male relative. |
| Implementation Gap | The statistical difference between a country’s high legal score and its lower scores in support and enforcement. |
| Administrative Friction | Procedural hurdles, such as requiring a husband's signature for a woman's ID, that restrict movement even if travel is "legal." |
| Gender Mainstreaming | The integration of gender perspectives into all stages of urban and transport planning to ensure equal access to public spaces. |
Disclaimer: This information based on the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) framework and does not constitute legal or professional advice.
Post a Comment
0Comments