There is a business case for improving gender diversity and supporting women to be productive workers. Despite the persuasive evidence that gender equality has a transformative effect on productivity and growth, the full economic and productive potential of women remains unrealized in many parts of the world. Globally, while women’s education levels have increased and educated women now earn more than their uneducated peers, gender gaps in labor-market participation and wage levels persist. Women continue to be underrepresented in formal and higher value-added employment.

The private sector, which accounts for almost nine out of 10 jobs in developing countries, has a critical role to play in ensuring that women have better employment opportunities. This report is the first result of the WINvest (Investing in Women Initiative) -a global World Bank Group partnership with the private sector launched at the 2012 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group in Tokyo, Japan. It draws on members’ experiences and encourages businesses to tap into and manage female talent in emerging and developing markets. The case studies detailed in this report are examples of how leading companies have benefited by investing in policies that support women employees.