Sector/Thematic Studies

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http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2110

Economic and Sectoral Work are original analytic reports authored by the World Bank and intended to influence programs and policy in client countries. They convey Bank-endorsed recommendations and represent the formal opinion of a World Bank unit on the topic. This set includes the sectoral and thematic studies which are not Core Diagnostic Studies. Other analytic and advisory activities (AAA), including technical assistance studies, are included in these sectoral/thematic collections.

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Pharmacovigilance in Brazil: Creating an Effective System in a Diverse Country

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-08-15) Wang, Huihui ; Figueras, Albert ; Marquez, Patricio V. ; Bieliaieva, Kseniya

The ability to oversee and monitor the use of all newly authorized drugs and vaccines, both brand name and generic, is critical to ensure that they work correctly and that their health benefits outweigh their known risks when used in daily clinical practice. This process, known as pharmacovigilance, plays a vital role in ensuring that patients receive appropriate vaccines and medicines that are safe and effective. While this may seem obvious, the process of building the necessary capacity and even recognition of the importance of this work has taken decades. Brazil is a particularly notable example because it ranks in the top five amongst the largest and the most populated countries—two characteristics that difficult the deployment and consolidation of a pharmacovigilance system.
The Caribbean Regulatory System: A Subregional Approach for Efficient Medicine Registration and Vigilance

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-08-15) Wang, Huihui ; Figueras, Albert ; Extavour, Rian Marie ; Marquez, Patricio V. ; Bieliaieva, Kseniya

This report focuses on the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), one of the three multi-national public health agencies in the world, that commenced operations on Jan 1, 2013, with the aim of delivering the functions of five previous regional health institutions through one platform for greater synergy and cost-effectiveness and as the principal institutional expression of Caribbean Cooperation in Health. The activities of CARPHA include the provision of a subregional mechanism that supports regulatory action to ensure access to safe medicines, such as the subregional system for reporting adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and substandard and falsified products (VigiCarib), and the regional post marketing drug quality testing program under the CARPHA Medicines Quality Control and Surveillance Department. Another relevant CARPHA activity is reviewing new medicines which want to enter the Caribbean market. This was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the plethora of new vaccines. VigiCarib is a good example of a subregional approach to facilitate well-functioning post marketing monitoring activities, including PV. Although this is a relatively new program, it is well established, integrates lessons from more experienced regulatory authorities, and supports small economies without specific PV programs, thus helping ensure the safety, quality, and effectiveness of medicines and vaccines. VigiCarib can serve as a model in other parts of the world where a regional approach to strengthening regulatory systems is under consideration. However, a key lesson of the experience of CARICOM, is that regional initiatives are complex and require clear objectives, harmonization, respect for the individual countries and territories, and mutual trust.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Guatemala

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

With a population of approximately 18.2 million people, Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America. Guatemala has one of the highest rates of femicide in the world, with violent deaths of women increasing from 1.3 per 100,000 women in 2020 to 1.6 per 100,000 women in 2021, resulting in 527 femicides reported in 2021 and 534 in 2022, and 69 femicides reported by March 2023. High-risk groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination include young and adolescent girls, indigenous women, those who have experienced adolescent pregnancies, early unions or marriages, women and girls living with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ groups. In order to address violence and discrimination against women and girls in Guatemala, various initiatives and policies have been implemented by the government and civil society organizations. However, much work remains to be done to effectively address the root causes of these issues and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all women and girls in the country.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Saint Lucia

(Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

The law in Saint Lucia provides for the same legal status and rights for women as for men, requires equal pay for equal work, and provides equal treatment of men and women for family property, nationality, and inheritance. Its economy is heavily dependent on tourism and services, both of which have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Economic vulnerabilities in St. Lucia are felt more keenly by women, with 42.3 percent of poor households being female headed (compared to a national rate of 25 percent) and larger than male headed households, and more women being found among the working poor, corroborating the challenges women face in the labor market. This profile looks at gender-based violence (GBV) in Saint Lucia, discussing the levels of gender-based violence (GBV), legal, institutional and policy environment for address GBV, social norms driving this violence, and the mechanisms to prevent and respond to GBV.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Chile

(Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

The economy of Chile, with a total population of approximately 19.493.185 by 2021, is undergoing an adjustment phase after a remarkable expansion in 2021, with real gross domestic product (GDP) growth dropping to 2.4 percent in 2022 due to normalized consumption and contractionary policies. This economic adjustment is predicted to continue during the first half of 2023, as consumption is expected to fall further amid weakened household liquidity and labor market. The Chilean economy is based on the exploitation of agricultural, fishing, forest, and mining resources. Chile has made several improvements in gender parity, but violence against women remains a significant problem in the country. As the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of gender-based violence, women’s labor force participation rate reduced by 10 percentage points as well as several other indicators have been affected negatively.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Honduras

(Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

Honduras has a small and informal economy that is predominantly agricultural, but its strategic location, solid industrial base, ample resources, and young population indicate potential for inclusive and resilient economic growth. Despite the growth, Honduras remains one of the poorest and most unequal countries in the region. Honduras has one of the highest rates of violent deaths of women in the world, by 2021, there were reported 318 violent deaths of women. Honduras is both a source and transit country for human trafficking, with women being the most affected by it. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation, resulting in an increase in reported cases of domestic and intrafamily violence.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Brazil

(Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

In Brazil, violence against women and girls (VAWG), which is a manifestation of gender-based violence (GBV), is a major concern. Intimate partner violence is the most common form of violence. The COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020 added new layers of complexity to the already unsettling GBV situation in the country. Services that are part of the national network to end violence against women, including health, social assistance, public security, and justice services, were stalled during critical transmission peaks, and faced budget cuts, as resources were redirected to fund emergency response actions related to the pandemic.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: El Salvador

(Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

El Salvador has a long history of political and social challenges, including a 12-year civil war that ended in 1992. The country has struggled with high levels of crime, poverty, and inequality, which have hindered its economic and social development. The service sector is an important component in El Salvador’s economy. El Salvador has made progress in recent years in addressing some of its social and economic challenges. For instance, the country has implemented a number of social programs aimed at reducing poverty and inequality, such as the conditional cash transfer programs. Early pregnancy and child marriage are significant factors that can contribute to school dropouts as young girls are expected to take on domestic responsibilities and resources, social tolerance, and the capacity of state institutions and civil society organizations.
Gender-Based Violence Country Profile: Jamaica

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 2023-06-01) World Bank

Jamaica is a small island developing state situated in the Caribbean. It is the third largest island in the Caribbean, with an approximate population of 2.8 million and a gross domestic product (GDP) of 14.6 billion dollars. Agriculture and tourism are two of Jamaica’s main industries, with the latter contributing significantly to the country’s economy as well as the tourism industry. Jamaica has a high prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV), with a domestic violence rate that increased by 15.6 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. Exposure to violence has been found to have negative implications for women’s physical and emotional health. Survivors were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and to use recreational drugs. The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified intimate partner violence (IPV), with a higher percentage of women reporting frequent experiences of IPV. Overall, the data highlights the need for continued efforts to prevent and address GBV in Jamaica.
VAWG Prevention and Response Opportunities in FY21 Pipeline IPF Projects in Central America: Portfolio Review

(Washington, DC, 2023-06) World Bank

The Advisory Services and Analytics (ASA) Mitigating Gender-Based Violence Risks and Expanding the gender-based violence (GBV) portfolio in Central America carried out in FY21 aimed to develop and apply a methodology to screen World Bank (WB) projects across sectors to identify entry points for preventing and/or responding to GBV beyond actions to mitigate sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH). The ASA comprises several documents that are intended primarily for WB task teams, who can help their clients adopt GBV prevention and response measures in projects across sectors. This document uses a tool for integrating violence against women and girls (VAWG) actions in WB operations to identify a selected group of operations to address VAWG prevention and response actions that align to the scope of the operation.