World Bank Unveils Ambitious "Gender Strategy 2030" to Empower Women Economically

The World Bank Group has launched its “Gender Strategy 2030,” a comprehensive plan focused on enhancing economic opportunities for women globally. The targets, revealed during the 2024 World Bank Group Annual Meetings, aim to bridge significant gender gaps in access to broadband, social protection, and capital.

Central to the strategy is one of its three key pillars: boosting women’s participation in the global economy. The World Bank has set ambitious goals to achieve this by 2030. The organisation aims to enable 300 million women to access broadband, facilitating essential services, financial inclusion, education, and employment. Additionally, it plans to extend social protection programmes to 250 million women, particularly prioritising support for the most impoverished and vulnerable communities.

A vital component of the Gender Strategy 2030 is addressing barriers to entrepreneurship. By 2030, the World Bank aspires to provide 80 million women and women-led businesses with capital, easing constraints that frequently hinder business growth and economic advancement.

“When we increase women’s economic participation, it not only boosts the global economy but also strengthens families and communities,” commented World Bank Group President Ajay Banga. “Through economic empowerment, we are building a ladder out of poverty and extending hope and dignity as far as possible.”

The "Gender Strategy 2030" represents the World Bank’s long-term commitment to gender equality, reinforcing the view that economic empowerment for women plays a critical role in sustainable development and global stability. The initiative aligns with the institution’s broader agenda of poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth, underscoring the importance of integrating women more fully into the global economy.