POVERTY & EQUITY NOTES 2021 ·· NUMBER JUNE 2020 OCTOBER NUMBER 29 42 From Data into Action: The Impact of Gender Analysis on Policy and Programming1 Carmen de Paz Nieves, Miriam Muller2 The ultimate objective of gender analysis is to inform programs and policies that contribute to closing persistent gaps. However, the specific impact of gender analysis and advice activities is not always evident or measured. There is growing interest among development partners, including the World Bank, in better understanding and systematizing the associations between data and reforms in this area. Is the increasing amount of knowledge generated over the last years translating into actual programmatic and policy change to close gender gaps? If so, what are the factors that can help to move from diagnostics and technical assistance into action? Based on a review of recent successful experiences of the Poverty and Equity Global Practice3 at the World Bank Group, this note summarizes emerging lessons that can help to start addressing these questions. Transitioning from diagnostics and advice to program and A detailed description of each of the activities reviewed policy changes is particularly challenging in a field as and the subsequent uptake by client countries can be transversal and broad as gender equality, where the real found in the annex. Half of these experiences (7 out of 14) impact of data and knowledge is often difficult to gauge. come from Latin America and the Caribbean, followed by Although the body of analytical work has been steadily Europe and Central Asia (5), Sub-Saharan Africa (2) and the expanding in recent years, there is concern that its Middle East and North Africa (1). translation into policy is lagging—and often lacking. The note covers two main topics: first, improving economic In this context, the Poverty and Equity Global Practice opportunities for women, through better access to (POV) at the World Bank Group (WBG) has conducted a childcare (2 cases), changes in social norms and family review taking stock of the on-the-ground impacts and formation decisions (especially early in life) (2 cases), and results of some of its most recent gender-related analytical enhanced access to assets (1 case); and, second, increasing activities (over the last five years). This exercise aimed to women’s voice and agency, particularly focusing on assess to what extent and how the knowledge work has gender-based violence (GBV) (5 cases). succeeded in meeting its ultimate objective: informing programs and policies to effectively contribute to closing The advisory and analytical work considered here includes gender gaps in our partner countries. It also summarizes, diagnostics and policy reviews (5 cases); quantitative for different teams working in the area, evidence that studies (e.g., cost-benefit analysis, impact evaluation, etc.) otherwise might not be on their radar. (6 cases); qualitative assessments (e.g., based on in-depth 1 This note has been prepared in the context of the Hewlett-Foundation–funded program Gender Data for Policy that is currently being implemented in three Sub-Saharan African countries (Angola, Guinea, and Madagascar). The program’s objectives are to (i) fill analytical gaps on gender and economic opportunity; (ii) start building consensus on findings with policy makers; and (iii) influence policy reforms or investments through this work—through the instrument of WBG development policy operations. 2 This note was produced under the guidance of Benu Bidani (Practice Manager) and Carolina Sanchez-Paramo (Global Director). The team is grateful to colleagues Anna Bonfert, Maria Davalos, Alan Fuchs, Gabriela Inchauste, Jonna Lundvall, Federica Marzo, Ana Maria Munoz Boudet, Ana Maria Oviedo, and Lourdes Rodriguez for their inputs to this note. 3 Although other global practices and regions are attaining results in this area, this review covers only POV experiences. interviews and focus groups) (6 cases); systematic process, building and sustaining the dialogue, and (3) seizing the legal, and public expenditure reviews (4 cases); and a momentum to move from dialogue to action. broader initiative (the Mashreq Gender Facility) that builds on data and analysis to identify and address constraints to Many of these lessons are not exclusive to the gender work. gender gaps in access to economic opportunity (see annex For example, the importance of providing just-in-time for more details). support, the need for building and sustaining a long-term engagement and dialogue with governments, or the In 6 out of 14 cases, the analysis helped to inform reforms relevance of collaborating with other partners similarly supported by WBG operations—which were included in apply to other thematic areas of engagement in development policy loans (DPLs) or investment lending development. projects (IL). In the rest, the reforms were directly considered—and in most cases introduced—by the However, the cross-cutting nature, elusiveness, and respective governments, often with the assistance of the political sensitivities of some of the issues at stake in the WBG team. field of gender equality—combined with the difficulty of translating data into policy change—make many of these Interviews with the team leaders in charge of these lessons particularly relevant in this thematic area. Bringing activities and projects have allowed the identification of rigorous evidence to the table that speaks to the pertinent some lessons on what has worked best and of some of the counterparts, working across sectors, or elevating the key challenges in making knowledge actionable. These dialogue to “nontraditional” interlocutors such as the lessons and challenges are summarized and discussed in Ministry of Finance is crucial for gender analysis to the remainder of the note, along the three main stages materialize into specific reforms. identified in this process: (1) finding an entry point, (2) Figure 1: Summary of lessons Finding an entry point: the role of Building and sustaining the From dialogue to reforms: seizing the analysis dialogue: the engagement the momentum 1. Bring evidence (not just argument)    1. Disseminate results engagingly   1. Interlocutors matter  2. Work across sectors and methods  2. Engage with (not on) the countries  2. CMU support and ground presence  3. Be flexible and tailor the language  3. Involve government from onset  3. Engage with operational teams  4. Emphasize policy orientation  4. Collaborate with others  4. Capitalize on social demand   provision of childcare and its implications for inequality (“Can Regulations Make It More Difficult to Serve the Finding an Entry Point: The Role of the Analysis Poor? The Case of Childcare Services in Istanbul, Turkey”), and a simulation work to estimate the capacity impact, benefit incidence, and cost-effectiveness of different Bring the evidence, not (just) the argument. A focus on subsidies modalities, supported the cross-sectoral rigorous research can be a powerful tool when advocating dialogue and contributed to the internal discussions on for change toward more inclusive and equitable societies. how to expand services and their funding. As a result, the This was the case for instance in Turkey, where the team Family and Dynamic Population Structure Protection Plan worked to rigorously assess the status of the childcare (2015) introduced a five-year tax reduction for newly situation in the country to foster a reform dialogue among established childcare centers run by the Ministry of Family government counterparts including the Ministries of Labor and Social Services, while a legal reform mandated Education, Family and Social Policy, and Finance. A municipalities to provide childcare services using countrywide study of the supply and demand of childcare, municipal buildings. In North Macedonia, the dialogue on together with an assessment of the regulation on the the expansion of the educational curriculum to include OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 2 socio-emotional skills and to reduce poor outcomes requires a flexible approach that allows for changing gears among disadvantaged students (for example, girls, Roma) and seizing opportunities with ready-to-go inputs. In the led to the implementation of the pilot program “Yes, You case of Kosovo, the WBG was requested to identify the Can.” The pilot, which evaluated a set of lessons that could existing gaps in the maternity leave system and deliver contribute to the life skills curriculum planned by the recommendations on how to reform it over a short time government, showed very positive results, and informed span. The team was ready to immediately dedicate the the materials made available to teachers by the Ministry of necessary resources to meet the required timeline for the Education (MoE). It also led to an evidence-based reform through a multiyear subregional dedicated trust approach to further developments, including two new fund (TF). The results were presented in the note pilots on how to support female and Roma students to “Maternity leave and women’s labor market status in thrive.4 Kosovo: five key messages.” At the same time, the language needs to be tailored to the audience. An Work across sectors—and methodologies. Multisectoral advocacy discourse, as an example, may not be the most teams working with a single similar goal can provide both adequate method for interacting with the MoF, which will breadth and depth to the work. In Chile, the team working instead be more receptive to arguments rooted in to prepare the Roadmap for the Creation of an Integrated economics or political economy. In the case of Albania, for Platform for Survivors of Violence Against Women included instance, the quantification of the economic losses experts from different sectors and occupations who resulting from gender disparities in the labor market in the contributed their knowledge throughout the engagement. study “How Costly Are Labor Gender Gaps?” highlighted The complementary expertise made the outcomes more the magnitude of the problem and allowed the Ministry of comprehensive and valuable for the government. The Finance (MoF) to make a strong economic case for the cross-sectoral nature of the work is especially relevant in process and institutional reforms to expand women’s the case of an issue such as GBV, which is a economic opportunities as part of the Albania Gender multidimensional problem. In Malawi, the findings of a Equality in Access to Economic Opportunities DPL (see study on “GBV and labor influx” were discussed in a annex for more details). multisector workshop in Lilongwe, leading government counterparts to translate the findings into their specific Emphasize the policy orientation. Most of the studies sector work. Combining different types of analysis can also highlighted in this review identified concrete reforms to be a factor for success in building a strong evidence base. laws, bylaws, or administrative processes that could In Chile, as an example, five different analytical pieces— contribute to address the existing barriers to gender including reviews of qualitative and quantitative equality. By doing so, they offered a basis for the reforms methodologies, policy, process, and information to be introduced and implemented in the different cases. technology (IT) barriers—generated the necessary In the case of Kosovo, for instance, specific policy evidence to launch an integrated platform for the follow- recommendations—including introducing incentives for up of GBV cases and the provision of adequate services hiring women and revisiting the main parameters of the and protection to survivors. existing maternity leave—were put forward to the government. In Mexico, the study “Female Labor Force Adopt a flexible approach, and tailor the language. In Participation and Gender Analytics” also offered a the best-case scenario, the client will raise the question to catalogue of recommendations to the government. These be addressed by the analytical work. The different gender- were used as the basis for the subsequent dialogue and related reforms in Chile, Kosovo, and Malawi (see annex the reforms discussed and being introduced, focusing for more detailed descriptions) were the result of such especially on the provision of childcare services and the direct requests. The provision of just-in-time support prevention of teenage pregnancy. In those cases where 4 A second pilot was implemented in the school year 2018, and a third one was under development during 2019–20. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 3 the initial study did not include the required detailed long-standing collaboration with the governments in the analysis, this has often been conducted before the policy framework of a dedicated Western Balkans TF—and the and programmatic reforms were defined. The different analytical and dissemination activities conducted identification of the specific actions included as part of the under it—allowed the team to build relationships with a Albania development policy operation (DPO), as an wide network of stakeholders over a sustained period. example, was based on an extensive previous analysis to Those relationships proved to be very beneficial in understand the main legal and administrative barriers to building and sustaining the dialogue that ultimately led to women’s economic inclusion. the respective policy reforms to improve the economic inclusion of women in these countries. Building and Sustaining the Dialogue: Engagement Involve the government closely from the onset. Working together with government counterparts in identifying and conducting relevant research generates Disseminate results in an engaging format. Looking for ownership and increases the uptake of findings. As an opportunities to discuss findings—not just to present example, the close collaboration with the Roads Authority them—is more conducive to a productive dialogue. In in the preparation of the study on the impact of labor Colombia, the “Country Gender Assessment”, which influx on women’s and girls’ rights in Malawi and the offered a diagnostic of gender gaps across different areas, establishment of an Advisory Committee allowed for was presented in informal workshops with technical extensive discussions of the results with sectoral counterparts by topic, followed up with discussions on counterparts and, ultimately, the translation of the international good practices. It was during this findings into concrete follow-up actions (see summary of engagement that the government requested the WBG’s the participatory process here). In the case of Mexico, the support in conceptualizing and developing the Gender strong ownership of the analysis on the drivers of female Observatory. In Brazil, the launch of the study “If it’s labor force participation by the government led to the co- already tough, imagine for me...” on the phenomenon of launch of the flagship report with the MoF. The resulting youths not engaged in employment, education, or training engagement led to a policy dialogue and joint search for (NEETs) was broadcast in a panel format by Canal Futura, solutions. Some of the recommendations included were an educational TV channel. The wide press coverage discussed in the National Congress. Working closely with helped to build the case for a follow-up pilot project in the Ministry of Labor in Jordan to develop an analysis of disadvantaged areas of Rio to develop a toolkit for gender segmentation in the labor market led to the teachers to better engage with students, addressing inclusion of several actions to lift restrictions to women’s barriers identified in the research. economic participation in the second Jordan Equitable Growth DPL. Engage with—and not on—the countries. The analytical work allows for getting one’s foot in the door. Collaborate with others. Positive synergies emerging However, translating this into policy reforms requires from the collaboration with other development partners medium- to long-term follow-up with the government. As have effectively contributed to building and sustaining the an example, staying active in the dialogue over time was a dialogue. The Mashreq Gender Facility, for instance, key element allowing the Mashreq Gender Facility (MGF) instituted a Steering Committee with the governments, to translate the broad Women’s Economic Empowerment key donors, and UN Women that meets several times a Action Plans developed by the governments in Iraq, year to provide strategic guidance and identify additional Jordan, and Lebanon into concrete technical assistance synergies. In Senegal, leveraging the work done by the across sectors, addressing gender gaps as identified by donor coordination group provided the basis to establish existing data, country priorities, and the WBG value added. a fruitful dialogue with the government on the In the cases of Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, the productivity trap faced by women, the role of social norms, OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 4 and the potential to address them. The dialogue led to the of gender analysis into action, as proven by the case of inclusion of an entire reform sequence on women’s Uruguay and the Mashreq, among others. In Uruguay, empowerment and adolescent sexual and reproductive strong CMU support and engagement in the preparation health in the Equitable and Resilient DPF [Development of the analysis of gender gaps conducted as part of the Policy Financing] for Senegal DPL. In Brazil, the Country Gender Assessment “Jugar un Partido Desigual”  nongovernmental organization Promundo partnered with ensured the further translation of the results into reforms the WBG and the Education State Secretariat to develop to the GBV response system under the project COVID-19 tools that could help students and teachers to overcome Response & Economic Recovery Emergency Development the barriers identified in the study. Policy Financing. As a result, the number of women benefiting from an enhanced protection from their perpetrators by means of the use of electronic bracelet From Dialogue into Action: Seizing the Momentum increased from 1,050 in 2019 to 2,050 in 2021. A strong presence in the countries is also crucial to attain results on the ground. In Senegal, for instance, the presence of Interlocutors, government champions, and strong technical WBG experts in the field assured participation in technical teams matter. The experiences reviewed show key discussion fora and a seat at the table for the definition that, for the dialogue to crystalize into real changes, it is of priorities and reforms—as identified in the “Senegal important to elevate it with nontraditional counterparts, Country Gender Assessment.” such as the MoF, that are key in decision making. This was specifically highlighted in the cases of Albania, Mexico, Capitalize on social demand and timing. Societal and Peru, where continued MoF engagement from the demand for gender reforms and an existing public debate early stages of the dialogue proved to be crucial to move on the issues at stake can also facilitate the dialogue and it forward. Strong client interest or government champions its transformation into actual change. This was the case in can also play an important role, along with high-level Peru, for instance, where GBV had received much public technical teams that remain unchanged over the political attention, especially in the media, before the launch of the cycle and that properly understand the topic. Both aspects study “Ten Messages about VAW.” The study responded were mentioned as significant factors for success in the to a request from the government stemming from the cases of Albania, Brazil, and Mexico. In Mexico, in growing social pressure to ramp up this agenda and an particular, working closely and continuously with ongoing effort to prepare the first results-based financing champions within the MoF who were knowledgeable on GBV. As such, the report was published at a good time about the subject matter and willing to push the agenda for the messages to get high visibility, and the Peruvian forward was crucial to translate research findings into a authorities considered it a key input to important policy partnership in which the WBG provided technical reforms aimed at maximizing the effectiveness of public assistance to address the identified entry points. In Chile, spending on GBV prevention (see results brief). The the close partnership with the Ministry of Women and Albanian DPL was aligned with the European Union (EU) Gender Equality throughout the process was also critical accession process and EU efforts to promote regional and helped to ensure the team’s access to the different integration in the Western Balkans, and it facilitated participating institutions. accession—in particular through the production and publication of a Gender Equality Index, which garnered Ensure country management unit (CMU) support and further interest from the authorities. In Mexico, the WBG strong on-the-ground presence. Although this lesson is team and the MoF took advantage of the International not exclusive to the work of any particular global practice Women’s day to launch the flagship report. The event was (GP) or region, internal champions or country part of a full day dedicated to women’s economic management support in the form of interest, time or empowerment, which provided the government with the funding are also determinant for the successful translation opportunity to present a set of initiatives in this field. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 5 Engage with operational teams. Although most of the team—commenting on or providing specific inputs to lessons speak to the impact with respect to government Project Concept Notes, and so on—is also relevant, as policies and programs, some are particularly pertinent to shown by the Brazil, Jordan, and Senegal cases. In the engaging with operational teams within the WBG. These Mashreq, the MGF team works closely with the country- lesson include, first, the importance of working across GPs level Multi-Donor Trust Fund teams focused on continuously. In North Macedonia, for instance, the POV reconstruction (Iraq, Lebanon) and on supporting reforms team collaborated with the Education and Social (Jordan) to ensure that projects funded by the fund also Protection and Jobs GPs. Similarly, in Turkey, the multiyear identify and address gender gaps, leveraging analytical TF was co-led with Social Protection and Jobs and the work produced by the MGF. Second, the analytical work analytical work conducted under it involved colleagues should be shaped toward the interest and needs of other from multiple GPs. As shown for instance by the sectors, either taking in consideration potential sector experiences of Brazil, Jordan, and the Mashreq, the ability, questions or having the initial research question defined readiness, and agility to provide support when the by the sector engagement itself—as in the Brazil and operational teams need it—most often in the form of Malawi cases. Finally, it is helpful to present the research knowledge and in the context of tight project preparation findings in a digestible manner that makes them directly timelines and changing priorities—is particularly relevant. operationalizable. Regular and consistent engagement with the country ABOUT THE AUTHORS Miriam Muller, Social Scientist and POV Gender Coordinator, mmuller1@worldbank.org Carmen de Paz Nieves, Consultant, Gender Specialist, cdepaznieves@worldbank.org This note series is intended to summarize good practices and key policy findings on poverty-related topics. The views expressed in the notes are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the World Bank, its board, or its member countries. Available for download at the World Bank Publications, Documents & Reports site. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 6 ANNEX: Detailed Description of the Activities and Their Translation into Change 1. Albania: Barriers to Women’s Economic Opportunity (i) Thematic focus: Women’s economic opportunity. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “How Costly Are Labor Gender Gaps?” Estimates for the Balkans and Turkey, June 2015. This was one of the various pieces of analysis that informed the dialogue and discussions on the existing gender gaps and barriers in economic opportunities in Albania, together with studies on care and labor market and skills, among others. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Quantitative analysis. The authors use survey data to calculate gender gaps in labor force participation, employers, and self-employed for several Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) and Turkey. They then proceed to provide an estimate of the aggregate losses in terms of income per capita associated with this degree of gender inequality using the occupational choice model proposed in Cuberes and Teignier (2014). (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The study estimated that the loss in income per capita for the country due to gender gaps in labor markets amounted to almost 20 percent in 2012. The study highlighted the magnitude of the problem, and allowed the MoF to make a strong economic case for the process and institutional reforms to expand women’s economic opportunities as part of the Albania Gender Equality in Access to Economic Opportunities DPL. It must be noted, however, that the definition of the specific actions included as part of the DPO was based on an extensive previous analysis to understand the main legal and administrative barriers to women’s economic inclusion (for a list of the analytical underpinnings of the PA, please go to project documents). (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The WBG contributed to develop momentum and consensus on the issues and responses by generating regional spaces of dialogue5 and through national consultations.6 Although this did not materialize, as originally expected, into a regional DPO, it allowed the unification of messages and consensus building around reforms. The partnership with the French Development Agency, which contributed funding to the operation, proved to be especially key. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): The Western Balkans TF financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation through the Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality was determinant to building the analytical base, the dialogue, and the partnerships that eventually led to the Gender Equality in Access to Economic Opportunities DPL. The engagement of the MoF from an early stage has been determinant to move from the dialogue forward and for it to translate into specific reforms. Later in the process, and under each pillar of the operation, the joint World Bank–AFD team has engaged with other development partners, including GIZ, UNICEF, UN Women, USAID, and the EU, to leverage organizational and programmatic complementarities. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The Albania Gender Equality in Access to Economic Opportunities DPF has been the main output of that long-term substantive engagement. The project aims to address various barriers to women’s labor market inclusion and access to productive assets through prior actions focused on reforming institutions and processes (2019). More specifically, prior actions focused on eliminating gender biases in 5 To build consensus around a coordinated regional agenda for promoting gender equality, government officials from the Western Balkans and representatives of development agencies gathered in Vienna in May 2018. The event was attended by finance ministers and other policy makers involved in the gender-equality agenda, such as representatives of executive agencies and labor ministries. The Albania delegation included the deputy minister of finance and the deputy prime minister. A joint communiqué was endorsed and published signaling a broad regional commitment to address challenges around gender equality and to act on the agreed policy priorities. 6 The World Bank–AFD team held consultations with Government agencies responsible for reform implementation, including the MoFE, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Youth, and the Ministry of Justice, as well as local governments and key development partners involved in these areas, such as the EU, GIZ, UNICEF, UN Women, and USAID. The World Bank–AFD team also conducted thematic workshops with representatives from academia, the private sector, and civil society. These consultations were instrumental to the selection of policy areas and prior actions. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 7 registration processes, embedding principles of gender equality in public procurement processes, expanding access to quality childcare, or improving monitoring systems through the adoption of gender-responsive budgeting and the introduction of a gender equality index. The Albanian DPL was aligned with the EU accession process and EU efforts to promote regional integration in the Western Balkans,7 and facilitated accession—in particular through the production and publication of a gender equality index. This granted further interest from the authorities. 2. Brazil: Addressing Barriers Faced by NEETs   (i) Thematic focus: NEETs and drivers. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: Youth out of school study: “If it's already tough, imagine for me...," March 2018. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Drawing on in-depth interviews with youth in Brazil, this qualitative research explored gender dimensions in the causes and consequences of being out of work and out of school. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The paper develops inductively from the data a typology of these youth who face different barriers along their trajectories: (1) barriers to building aspirations and internal motivation to return to school or work, (2) barriers to action, and (3) external barriers. Participants’ position along this spectrum is shaped by social context and gender norms that frame youth’s trajectories and envisioned futures. These observed patterns are particularly strong in rural areas, where youth perceive fewer quality economic opportunities and stronger division of gender roles within the household and in farming activities, which keeps young women in lower-paid or unpaid roles. Participants who have successful trajectories to technical schools, universities, or formal work demonstrate strong resilience, which seems to be built on their relationships with their families, peers, partners, and role models. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): Collaboration with Social Protection and Jobs and Education GPs. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): Externally: Instituto Promundo and Secretaria de Educacao RDJ; internally: Education GP, Communications team Brazil office. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The study was followed up with a pilot project in disadvantaged areas around Rio aimed at developing a toolkit for teachers so they can better engage and connect with students and address the barriers identified (2019). 3. Brazil: Access to Services by GBV Survivors (i) Thematic focus: Women’s agency and GBV. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Fear Is What Weighs Most... Experiences of Women in Situations of Violence in Accessing Support Services in Brazil” March 2020. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Through qualitative research, this paper explores the experience of women survivors of violence against women (VAW) in seeking help to exit abusive relationships, with the aim of identifying avenues to strengthen service delivery and violence prevention policies. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The experiences of research participants demonstrate that a complex set of issues related to social norms, individual agency, and institutional weaknesses serve as strong barriers for service uptake. These include women’s personal preparedness to seek support; the catalyzing or constraining function that families, friends, peers, and people in authority can play; external barriers to accessing services; and the availability and quality of services in different settings. Data from this research 7 In line with Chapters 19 and 23 of the EU Acquis Communautaire, the DPF aims to address the obstacles to women’s economic inclusion that were highlighted by the European Commission’s Communications on EU Enlargement Policy, which emphasizes the importance of safeguarding property rights, including land registration, increasing women’s access to justice, expanding access to childcare, and improving the institutional framework for gender equality. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 8 also highlight the importance of psycho-social support services that help survivors make informed decisions about how to exit abusive relationships, to rebuild their emotional stability and self-esteem, establish economic autonomy, pursue justice, and ultimately reconstruct their lives. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): External: Subsecretaria de Políticas para as Mulheres do Rio de Janeiro and Integrated Centres for Special Attention to Women: CIAM Baixada; CEAM Queimados, CIAM Marcia Lyra e da Casa da Mulher de Manguinhos. Internal: Transport GP. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): Internal: Social Protection and Jobs GP to inform upcoming operation. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The study informed an investment lending operation in Salvador, Bahia, which will reflect the findings in its communication efforts to enhance access by women survivors of VAW to psycho-social and other services. 4. Colombia: Gender Observatory   (i) Thematic focus: Data and monitoring and evaluation. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Country Gender Assessment” (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Diagnostic and policy review. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The study highlights the persistence of gender gaps and barriers to women’s inclusion across the areas of health, education, economic opportunity, and agency. Rural women are particularly disadvantaged. One of the recommendations of the report was to put in place the institutional capacity to plan, monitor, and implement policies. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): Alta Consejera de la Mujer. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): As a follow-up to the dissemination efforts for the Country Gender Assessment, discussions on international good practice to address and narrow gender gaps have been conducted with government representatives from different ministries. The Gender Observatory was led by the Alta Consejera de la Mujer with contributions from the Planning Institute (DNP) and the National Institute for Statistics (DANE). (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): During this engagement the government of Colombia requested the WBG’s support and TA in conceptualizing and developing the Gender Observatory (2019). 5. Chile: Creation of an Integrated GBV Platform   (i) Thematic focus: Institutional framework to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Roadmap for the creation of an integrated platform for survivors of violence against women” 2021. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): This work proposes a road map for the creation of a case management dashboard that is interoperable across institutions providing services to women survivors of GBV. This work combined five analytical pieces: (1) a quantitative analysis of the National Survey of Intrafamily Violence 2020; (2) a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews on the perception of state services; (3) in-depth analysis of processes; (4) legal stocktaking of regulatory framework; and (5) stocktaking of IT barriers and interoperability. The quantitative and qualitative evidence were highly effective in portraying the situation of VAW, providing a real voice to what the statistics mean for many women in that situation. The in-depth analysis of institutional processes as well as the legal and technological barriers ensured that the diagnostic provided a well- rounded evidence base on the current situation. The complementary analytical pieces were extremely useful inputs to creating a comprehensive road map and provided concrete policy recommendations built on sound evidence. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): This diagnosis makes evident the need to install a new integrated care model oriented towards survivors, which should include a defined minimum package of services and the development of an effective referral system. In addition, a case management strategy should be incorporated that has a logical sequence, regardless of which institution is the first entry point. The OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 9 establishment of an integrated case management platform can support this new care model, by strengthening the collection and use of administrative records. The development of an integrated platform would contribute to coordination between institutions, allowing for better follow-up and traceability of cases, reduced re-victimization of women, and the possibility of establishing an early warning system that could save lives. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The close collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality throughout the process was critical and helped to ensure the team had access to the different participating institutions; the Ministry not only served not only as a coordinating agency but also was able to work from an early stage in addressing some of the findings. The strong collaboration ensured that it felt ownership over the work and opened doors to ensure that the analysis could inform actions going forward. The multisectoral team with a single similar goal provided credibility to the work. The team included economists, social specialists, gender experts, a process engineer, a lawyer, and an IT specialist. The team lent their expertise throughout the engagement, allowing for in-depth conversations across disciplines, resulting in work that was highly complementary and seen as very valuable by counterparts. VAW is a multidimensional problem that requires multisectoral solutions. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): The work began with a request from the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality to build a road map for the construction of a registry of victims of VAW. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The resulting analysis and recommendations have already started to shape policies going forward to improve the protection of GBV survivors in Chile. The findings of the report have been shared with country counterparts. Soon after the final analysis was completed, the team shared highlights of the diagnostic exercise and recommendations with the Ministry of Women and Gender Equality. The Minister fully took on the study and recommendations and requested that the team also present to the Judiciary Commission, which includes the Minister of Justice, the District Attorney, representatives of the Supreme Court, the police forces, and other state institutions. Following that presentation, the authorities formed a working group to review the study and recommendations produced by the team. Many of the recommendations are already being implemented, including training and capacity building within the police. Moreover, the authorities are preparing to announce a new law that would enable the creation of the integrated platform, including a governance structure and information sharing mandate that will allow them to follow up cases of VAW across institutions, ensure that women receive the services they are entitled to, and provide alerts in high-risk cases. The law will be announced following the public launch of this report. 6. Kosovo: Maternity Leave System   (i) Thematic focus: Maternity leave system. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Maternity leave and women’s labor market status in Kosovo: five key messages” note, September 2015. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Policy review. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): Labor market engagement of women is very low in Kosovo—only 12.5 percent of women of working age are employed compared to 41.3 percent of men—suggesting that women face obstacles to work or to being hired. These barriers could be related to a multiplicity of factors, including labor regulations—such as maternity provisions. The study highlights that maternity leave in Kosovo was long for international standards. More important, and against International Labour Organization recommendations, the financial burden was borne largely by employers, who report high associated costs from hiring women. Take-up of benefits is low, and women perceive discrimination related to childcare responsibilities. The study concludes that reforming maternity leave in Kosovo could likely contribute to reducing discriminatory hiring practices toward women, particularly in the private sector, but also to allowing an increased take-up of maternity leave benefits among employed women. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The study was conducted under the Western Balkans TF funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation via the WBG Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality multidonor TF. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 10 (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts and other partners: The study was a direct request from the government. The long-standing engagement with the government under the dedicated Western Balkans TF directly contributed to building and sustaining the dialogue leading to this request. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The study provided direct inputs to the proposed legal revisions aimed at reducing gender discrimination in the Kosovo labor market (2018). The GoK proposed a separate draft law on maternity and parental leave, an effort that has been recently revamped. 7. Malawi: Labor Influx and GBV   (i) Thematic focus: Gender-based violence (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “GBV/ labor influx” May 2019. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): A qualitative study in Malawi—jointly with the Transport GP—was conducted to better understand the dynamics of male labor influx within receiving communities, as well as how best to design responses that meet the interest of nearby residents. The study is based on 28 focus group discussions with people living in communities that hosted road projects, and with road project staff, traditional leaders, secondary school principals, and local service providers. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The study concludes that many of road construction’s harmful effects are caused not simply by the influx of outsiders but by deep imbalances in gender dynamics of power and influence in the local communities and worker camps. Girls, women, and workers are found to have diverse and complex reasons for engaging in relationships that could be harmful. The study concludes that these motivations often grow from societal norms that make women subordinate to men and from women’s efforts, within the constraints of these norms, to improve their station in life. It also identifies limitations in existing interventions and strategies and proposes steps by which they might become more effective. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The study was a collaborative effort between the POV and Transport GPs within the WBG. This helped to make the issues at stake visible to the transport team, which will be reflected in its engagement with the government—starting with an upcoming transport project. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): Chaired by the Roads’ Authority, an Advisory Committee (composed by technical staff of multiple line Ministries, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, other development partners, academia) was set up at the beginning; members participated and provided inputs throughout design, implementation, and analysis of collected data (see summary of the participatory process here). (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The findings were discussed in a multisector workshop in Lilongwe, and government counterparts translated them into their sector work (2019). A new transport project will address key risks identified (2021). 8. Mashreq Gender Facility: Women’s Economic Opportunities in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon   (i) Thematic focus: Women’s economic opportunities. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Mashreq Gender Facility” 2019–24. This is not one specific study, but a broad initiative building on data and evidence across sectors to identify and address constraints to women’s economic opportunities in Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): The Mashreq Gender Facility (MGF) was established to enable a coordinated, more holistic identification of and response to constraints for women’s economic opportunities. It is the main vehicle for the CMUs engagement on gender and provides the basic resources to provide strategic, targeted support for the lending portfolio and general policy dialogue. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The facility develops evidence- based knowledge resources and flagship reports and provides data-driven inputs to operations and policy engagements. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 11 (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors). The MGF is a World Bank–IFC joint initiative, operated as a window under the Umbrella Facility for Gender Equality. It is mainly funded by the governments of Canada and Norway. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): The MGF is operated through an inclusive coordination structure to ensure national ownership, timeliness, and relevance. A regional Steering Committee provides high-level strategic guidance and allows for the sharing of results. It includes two government representatives per country: the entity responsible for gender/women’s issues; the Jordanian National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Lebanese Women, and the Gender Directorate at the Council of Ministers in Iraq; a key line ministry like the Ministry of Economy and Trade in Lebanon or the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation in Jordan; the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Regional Directors; UN Women; Canada; and Norway. Each government has also appointed a National Coordinator who is responsible for the coordination of the country-level work. From the WBG’s side, there is a regional Poverty GP–led MGF Secretariat for coordination, knowledge management, reporting, budget management, technical and operational guidance, and support to country teams. At the country level, multisectoral teams including WBG and IFC colleagues representing different GPs lead the technical sector work and engagement in their respective countries and work closely with the respective sector ministries. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): As a result, all three governments have identified targets, priorities, and concrete actions to increase FLFP through country-owned Women’s Economic Empowerment Action Plans. It has led to increased access to data and evidence, as exemplified by the regional State of the Mashreq Women Report and numerous country-level reports. In Lebanon, the MGF facilitated expert TA resulting in a law, approved by parliament, criminalizing sexual harassment. In Jordan, TA is being provided for the implementation of the Code of Conduct for Public Transport, including app development and capacity building. In Iraq, the MGF has led to increased financial inclusion of women through partnering with banks for loan initiatives without guarantees or collateral and providing training. Across the three countries, Women’s Employment Peer Learning Platforms by IFC and partner institutions discussed and built the capacity of about 200 private sector employers for more gender- responsive policies, based on good practices to recruit, retain, and promote more women in the workforce. There has also been a concerted focus on childcare at the country and regional levels that is bringing the issue to a new level of discussion among a wide range of stakeholders, including additional funding for this. In addition, it has led to a deeper engagement through targeted support to WBG lending operations and TFs to ensure identification and attention to closing gender gaps, in a meaningful way and accompanied by TA throughout implementation. One example is the Jordan P4R Economic Opportunities for Jordanians & Syrian Refugees AF, which, thanks to the leveraging of synergies with the MGF, includes the Jordanian National Commission for Women as the entity responsible for results. 9. Mexico: Female Labor Force Participation   (i) Thematic focus: Childcare as a barrier to female labor force participation (FLFP). (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Female Labor Force Participation and Gender Analytics.” (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods to understand the key obstacles to a broader use of childcare services. It also focused on teenage pregnancy as another important barrier to FLFP and productivity. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): Female labor force participation is much lower than that of men in Mexico (45 percent vis-à-vis 77 percent in 2019). This has important economic impacts because it reduces the potential for economic growth in the country. The main barrier faced by women on the supply side is the need to provide care and the lack of trust in formal service providers. Social norms and the low expectation of many women to build a professional career also contribute to the existing low participation rates. The supply of care services is of limited coverage, fragmented, and widely heterogeneous. Demand remains low. In addition, teenage pregnancy remains a significant barrier associated with poverty. The report offers a series of specific recommendations to address these issues, including (1) improving the legal framework, for instance, eliminating all remaining discriminatory provisions in this area; (2) increasing the coverage of childcare services based on OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 12 communities in rural areas, prioritizing areas of high impact on female employment or making care work more professional through clear competencies and certifications; and (3) improving the quality and availability of information. Policies to prevent teenage pregnancy are also recommended, including the expansion of sexual and reproductive health attention services, promoting the development of life skills among vulnerable youth, increasing the opportunity costs of getting pregnant early, and change social norms through communication campaigns. Complementary policies are also listed. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The team has been collaborating with Education GP colleagues to ensure consistency of messages on early childhood education and care services, especially with respect to quality. Considering the significant overlap of the target population as well as the potential synergies between the childcare services and initial education, the team has been collaborating closely with the Education GP colleagues, involving them in all the working group meetings and making sure to ensure their participation in all relevant bilateral meetings. In particular, the joint team has emphasized the importance of providing quality care, not only because of its impact on children, but also as a critical path to ensure mothers would be willing to trust these care facilities. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts and other partners): Building on the in-depth analytical work, the team has had a strong engagement with the MoF to support actions to promote FLFP. The engagement started in early 2020, coinciding with an initial effort by the MoF on establishing an intergovernmental working group to explore policy options on care services to promote FLFP. Preliminary results from the flagship report were then presented to a multi-institutional government audience convened by the MoF during a virtual workshop in March 2020. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the engagement stalled but reignited as the recovery took hold in Mexico and the authorities noted the slow pace at which women joined the work force. In the fall of 2020, the MoF recontacted the team to hear about the advance on the report and its recommendations, reinitiating the engagement. The team shared the main findings and recommendations of the report and was asked to propose an agenda for topics to be covered in an inter-institutional working group aimed at promoting FLFP. The working group included key government stakeholders convened and led by the MoF. The resulting close engagement, which included a strong policy dialogue and joint search for solutions, began in late November 2020 and has continued on a nearly weekly basis since then. As a strong signal of the ownership of this agenda and the underlying analysis, per their request, the team jointly launched the flagship on FLFP with the MoF. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): Throughout this engagement, the team has provided an extensive set of inputs and insights to a diverse set of topics being discussed. Most of the efforts undertaken to date have focused on the provision of childcare services, in line with MoF priorities. The engagement involved presentations from all stakeholders (and members of the working group), who discussed the current availability of services, the norms and standards being followed for the provision of those services, and the main bottlenecks to expansion of services. The MoF requested additional analysis and inputs. To that end, the team produced additional estimates using the 2015 census data to predict the impact of additional daycare centers on FLFP across municipalities, to serve as an input to the prioritization formula that the MoF was working on and provided technical advice on the proposed formula—including a suggestion to include a measure of vulnerability/marginalization as a criterion for prioritization. The MoF used both these technical inputs to outline alternative prioritization schemes. The team has also engaged in in-depth discussions around alternative models for expansion of coverage. This has included accompanying MoF officials at bilateral meetings with different stakeholders to assess the availability of training programs, the capacity to quickly expand that training, and alternative mechanisms to do so. More recently, the engagement included bilateral meetings to deepen the understanding of existing regulations and curriculums across modalities.   10. North Macedonia: Soft Skills Development and Vulnerable Girls (i) Thematic focus: Soft skills development among vulnerable (Roma) girls. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Yes, you can” pilot intervention, December 2020. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 13 (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Randomized controlled trial of a pilot intervention with 42,000 students in 6th–7th grade in 350 schools. Baseline and end line surveys were conducted. The program worked through teachers and directly with students to promote a change in attitudes and beliefs about effort and grit (perseverance) and self-efficacy. It taught students the science of effective studying and practice and motivated them to study by “breaking” preconceived ideas about academic success, raising their belief that effort would pay off. The intervention had a focus on removing stereotypical views about girls and Roma students. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): All the students saw a positive increase in their socio-emotional skills and academic achievement. Teachers, after a one-day training, also reported a change in beliefs on the value of effort and their role in incentivizing it. In particular, the program increased students’ beliefs and self-reported measures around grit-related elements, showing that teaching grit can improve achievement. The program had a positive impact in the grades of Roma students, who were especially targeted with anti-stereotype messages. Gains in grades among Roma students were equivalent to three weeks of schooling. The intervention was also very cost-effective. The cost ranged from about $18 per student in the short run (including design costs) to $10 per student in the long run, for changes in grades, and less than half of those amounts for changes in beliefs. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The POV team collaborated with the Education GP. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): The pilot and evaluation were part of a longer-term dialogue and engagement with the MoE. The WBG teams partnered with the MoE in the implementation. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The rigorous evaluation of the program has provided support to the idea that building soft skills should be an integral part of the school curriculum. The results were subsequently used as the foundation to reform the national curriculum in this direction (2021). 11. Peru: Public Spending to address GBV   (i) Thematic focus: Women’s agency and GBV. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Ten Messages about VAW” 2019. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Through quantitative analysis and desk reviews, the study documents and analyzes the public investments in this agenda and systematizes the existing evidence on what works internationally and nationally. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): By providing a landscape of public investment in GBV, categorized by type of investment (for example, prevention vs. attention/protection), lead agency, beneficiary population and other criteria, it highlights the gaps and priority areas to continue advancing the agenda, all of them oriented toward improved multisectoral coordination. The study emphasizes the role of prevention with a multicomponent approach and the need to increase resources toward prevention interventions. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The team collaborated with government counterparts during the preparation of the study, including the MoF team engaged in the results-based budgeting on GBV. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): The team had active engagement with government counterparts in the preparation of the study, specifically the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations and the MoF. Rounds for consultations were carried out to ensure that a multiplicity of views and backgrounds on such a complex issue were accounted for. Findings were discussed and validated with a diverse range of clients and partners—not only with stakeholders like the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations, but also others from the Ministry of Health, the Peruvian National Police, nongovernmental agencies, academics, international development partners and others—ultimately reflecting the cross-cutting nature of the problem and the analysis involved. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The Peruvian authorities considered the study a key OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 14 input for the design of a multisectoral strategy to maximize public spending on fighting GBV. Based on the urgent emphasis placed by the study on prevention, a National Prevention Strategy became a key pillar of this agenda (2019).  12. Senegal: Women’s Economic Participation, the Productivity Trap, and Social Norms   (i) Thematic focus: Women’s economic opportunity and the role of social norms as barriers to productivity. (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Country Gender Assessment” 2020. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): The study explored barriers to women’s economic opportunities, assessing (1) the extent to which Senegalese women are limited by a productivity trap, through quantitative analysis, and (2) the dominant gender norms shaping women’s labor trajectory through a qualitative study. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): Women and girls in Senegal do not have the chance to invest in and use their human capital along their life cycle to the same extent as boys and men. Despite recent improvements in enrollment, Senegalese women are still systematically less educated than men, with the share of working-age population women (age 15–64) with no education still 10 percentage points higher than for men (EHCVM 2018/19) and only 4.3 percent completing secondary school, against 11.5 among adult men. This gap is more severe in rural areas. One of the root causes of this persistent gender gap is early marriage and pregnancy, widespread in the country, particularly among rural, poor women. Almost 1 woman in 10 aged 20–24 declared having married before age 16 (DHS 2018), with important consequences for secondary school attendance, maternal health, and labor market outcomes. Women who wed underage are 5.4 percent more likely to be economically inactive than those who marry later in life, and 10 percent less likely to get a formal salaried job. In general, women’s activity rate, earnings, and agricultural productivity are lower than those of men by 22, 62, and 50 percentage points, respectively, and underemployment 22 percentage points higher. Only 12 percent of the wage gap is explained by observable characteristics, suggesting discrimination is widespread (2018). (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): Macroeconomics, Trade and Investment (MTI), Women Business and the Law team and members of the country team across different sectors. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): Strong partnership with other development partners in Senegal and presence in the donor coordination group on gender. Strong partnership with MTI in preparing the DPO. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The study informed the first Equitable and Resilient DPF for Senegal (2021), with an entire reform sequence dedicated to women’s empowerment, and the definition of the adolescent health component of the new maternal, child, and adolescent health project. 13. Turkey: Increasing Women’s Access to Economic Opportunities   (i) Thematic focus: Barriers to women’s economic opportunity. (ii) Advisory services and analytics:  Supply and Demand for Child Care Services in Turkey: A Mixed Methods Study (2015); Building an Ex-Ante Simulation Model for Estimating the Capacity Impact, Benefit Incidence, and Cost Effectiveness of Child Care Subsidies: An Application Using Provider-Level Data from Turkey (2016); Can Regulations Make It More Difficult to Serve the Poor? The Case of Childcare Services in Istanbul, Turkey (2016). (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): The studies use a set of different methodologies, including a mixed-method assessment of childcare supply and demand, reforms simulation modeling, and a cost impact assessment of childcare provision. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): Low levels of childcare availability, high costs due to regulatory constraints, the need for a mixed subsidy system from the government to lower costs and improve physical access. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): The studies were prepared by a joint WBG team and Development Analytics, with preparation including discussions with researchers and other actors working on the same space, including United Nations Development Program, United Nations Children’s Fund, ACEV Foundation, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and others. OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 15 (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): presented and discussed with a technical committee including representatives from four different ministries (Education, Family, Social Policy and Labor, Finance, Development) and supported by a trust fund grant by Sweden. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The study informed the ongoing dialogue led by the Ministry of Family, Social Policy and Labor to expand childcare provision in the country. It had implications in the Family and Dynamic Population Structure Protection Plan (2015), which introduced a five-year tax reduction for newly established childcare centers run by the Ministry of Family Labor and Social Services, as a well as a legal reform for municipalities to provide childcare services using municipal buildings. It led to a study of private sector provision by the French Cooperation Agency; further dialogue in the country includes a financing request for a pilot subsidy. Internally at the WBG the evidence package has been replicated for dialogue purposes by WBG and other donor teams in other countries in Europe and Central Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. and the Middle East and North Africa. 14. Uruguay: GBV Response System   (i) Thematic focus: Gender-based violence (ii) Advisory services and analytics: “Country Gender Assessment Jugar un Partido Desigual” 2020. (iii) Methodological approach (for example, quantitative, qualitative): Diagnostic of gender gaps across endowments, economic opportunity, and agency. Includes review of policies (best practices) across areas and specific policy recommendations to cover the gaps identified. (iv) Main findings (focusing on those most pertinent to the discussion on impact): The report highlights, among other challenges, the persistence of high levels of GBV. As much as 77 percent of all Uruguayan women have experienced some form of GBV in their lives. Despite the progress made in the institutional and legal framework in recent years, reporting levels remain low. Recommendations include better balance of prevention and response efforts and provision of adequate resources. (v) Contributions/collaboration (with internal and external actors): Communications team Uruguay Country office. (vi) Engagement (distinguishing between technical and operational teams, government counterparts, and other partners): Engagement during DPO preparation with other GPs working on this operation. (vii) Impact (distinguishing between WBG activities and government policies and programs and providing more details on the actions and policies informed by the work): The COVID-19 Response & Economic Recovery Emergency Development Policy Financing (WBG project that introduces reforms in various areas) incorporated a component to improve the institutional and response system to GBV, raising the number of women benefiting from an enhanced protection from their perpetrators by means of the use of electronic bracelet from 1,050 in 2019 to 2,050 in 2021 (2020). OCTOBER 2021·NO 42 16