Senior Legal and Gender Specialist at the World Bank, with expertise on international development and comparative law in the areas of gender equality, women's economic empowerment and private sector development. Her work aims at promoting laws and policies to advance women’s rights and protection against discrimination and violence. Paula is a Brazilian lawyer and hold a master’s degree (LLM) in International Law from Georgetown University and a specialization in International Relations from the University of Brasília (Brazil). Her prior legal experience includes working with government multilateral trade agreements, private sector initiatives and non-governmental organizations. She is currently a guest lecturer at the American University Washington College of Law and at the University of Pennsylvania's Law School and Global Institute for Human Rights in the areas of Gender, Law and Development, and a member of the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs (GEIA) Advisory Group at George Washington University, the Brazilian Bar Association, and the International Bar Association (IBA). Paula is a public speaker and author in her areas of expertise.
Advogada e Especialista Sênior em Gênero no Banco Mundial, com experiência em desenvolvimento internacional e direito comparado nas áreas de igualdade de gênero, empoderamento econômico das mulheres e desenvolvimento do setor privado. Seu trabalho visa a promoção de leis e políticas para avançar os direitos das mulheres e a proteção contra a discriminação e a violência. Paula é advogada brasileira e possui mestrado (LLM) em Direito Internacional pela Universidade de Georgetown e especialização em Relações Internacionais pela Universidade de Brasília. Sua experiência jurídica anterior inclui o trabalho com acordos comerciais multilaterais governamentais no governo brasileiro, iniciativas do setor privado e organizações não governamentais. Ela é atualmente professora convidada da American University Washington College of Law e da Faculdade de Direito da Universidade da Pensilvânia e do Instituto Global de Direitos Humanos nas áreas de Gênero, Direito e Desenvolvimento. É também membro do Grupo Consultivo da Iniciativa de Igualdade de Gênero em Assuntos Internacionais (GEIA) da George Washington University, da Ordem dos Advogados do Brasil (OAB-DF) e da International Bar Association (IBA). Paula é palestrante e autora em suas áreas de especialização.
Banco Mundial - Casamento na Infância e Adolescência: a Educação das Meninas e a Legislação Brasileira, 2019
Erradicar o casamento infantil é uma das metas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS)... more Erradicar o casamento infantil é uma das metas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS). Os investimentos para acabar com essa prática, no entanto, são limitados; mundialmente, a redução da incidência de casamentos infantis tem sido muito lenta e, na trajetória atual, a meta dos ODS não será alcançada. O objetivo principal desta série de notas sobre a erradicação do casamento infantil é documentar o papel que as leis, políticas e intervenções ou programas específicos podem desempenhar para acabar com essa prática. Isso é feito por meio de análises de vários países e estudos de caso de países específicos.
A série também discute os fatores que incentivam essa prática, sua tendência ao longo do tempo e os compromissos assumidos pelos governos dos países ou outras partes interessadas para eliminar o casamento na infância e adolescência. Finalmente, a série tem como objetivo oferecer orientações sobre como medir o casamento infantil, elaborar diagnósticos e planejar estratégias e intervenções para erradicar a prática.
Ending child marriage : child marriage laws and their limitations (English), 2017
Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at... more Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at greater risk of experiencing a range of poor health outcomes, having children at younger ages when they are not yet ready to do so, dropping out of school, earning less over their lifetimes, and living in poverty compared to their peers who marry at later ages. These dynamics affect not only the girls themselves, but also their children and households, as well as communities and entire societies. Furthermore, in many countries, it remains legal to marry a girl before she turns 18, and even in countries where marriage before 18 is in principle illegal, too many girls continue to marry early. This brief summarizes findings from research undertaken by save the children and the World Bank on the lack of legal protection against child marriage for girls and marriages that take place below the national minimum age of marriage. The analysis suggests that many countries still do not effectively legally protect girls against child marriage, but also that legal reforms are not sufficient to end the practice as many girls marry illegally in countries where legal protections are in place. While protecting girls in the law against child marriage is an important first step, additional interventions are needed to prevent child marriage.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls - Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment, 2018
Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Vio... more Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Violence leads to negative and, at times, dramatic mental and physical health consequences. It leads to increased absenteeism at work and limits mobility, thereby reducing productivity and earnings. It leads girls to drop out of school because going to school puts them at risk of abuse. It affects women’s decision-making ability within the household, including being able to seek services when needed.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
WOMEN, BUSINESS AND THE LAW - Closing the Gap—Improving Laws Protecting Women from Violence, 2015
Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls... more Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls in areas such as child marriage, domestic violence, and marital rape. It also collects data on remedies, such as the existence and scope of protection orders for victims of domestic violence. Violence thwarts women’s economic empowerment by limiting their ability to exercise agency and make choices. Violence against women and girls both reflects and reinforces inequalities between women and men. Where a girl can be legally married before she turns 18, she has less opportunity to make choices about her future. Where a woman suffers abuse from her husband, her health and psychological well-being are threatened and her capacity to work and function socially are impaired. If she is not able to work, she is forced into a subordinate position, both psychologically and economically, and the cycle of violence persists. Legal protection is crucial to reduce impunity and open avenues for redress. Yet Women, Business and the Law finds persisting gaps in laws protecting women from violence. Countries are increasingly protecting girls and women from violence. The adoption in the past 2 years of new domestic violence laws in some economies and more comprehensive provisions in others worldwide is also a telling indication of progress. But more is needed. Among the priorities of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres” and “eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage,” which recognize the need for enhanced legal protection for girls and women worldwide. International and regional commitments and instruments pave the way for change. And while the existence of more and better laws is a critical first step, better enforcement of the law is necessary to ensure protection for women. Only when women and girls are fully protected from violence will they be able to enjoy the same autonomy, freedom, and opportunities as men.
Indicators Group Research Note World Bank Research and Development Center in Chile No. 4/December 2019, 2019
Effectively addressing violence against women requires coordinated action and comprehensive preve... more Effectively addressing violence against women requires coordinated action and comprehensive prevention, protection and response initiatives. Legal protections and guaranteed access to services are critical elements, but implementation also requires government commitments set out in national plans and through dedicated budgets. The data show that where there are dedicated budgets, services are more likely to exist. Moreover, initiatives focusing on prevention can address root causes and underlying risk factors, as well as save costs of later-stage crisis care and other interventions. Much has improved in the last two decades, but more is needed to address an issue that still affects over one in three women worldwide. By mapping out where measures and services exist to bridge the implementation gap on laws protecting women from violence, Women, Business and the Law aims to shed light on where good practices have emerged and where gaps still exist in providing more effective protection and response to survivors. This can encourage more policies that ensure that women like Marta can have the support they need to overcome this pervasive form of gender inequality and to fully access economic opportunities.
Protecting Women from Violence - Bridging the Implementation Gap Between Law and Practice, 2019
The Women, Business and the Law index includes measures of laws on
domestic violence and sexual h... more The Women, Business and the Law index includes measures of laws on domestic violence and sexual harassment. In addition to the data on domestic violence and sexual harassment legislation included in the Women, Business and the Law index, the global data collection exercise covers other aspects of gender-based violence, including the different types of abuse covered by domestic violence laws, legislation regulating the minimum age of marriage and prohibitions on child and early marriage, the existence of specialized courts or procedures for cases of domestic violence, as well as the availability of protection orders for survivors of domestic violence. This additional data can be accessed and downloaded from the Women Business and the Law website at wbl.worldbank.org. As part of the research, to understand where mechanisms have been adopted to enhance the effectiveness of laws in place, Women, Business and the Law undertook a pilot exercise examining the existence of certain key support services in a set of 100 economies by collecting data covering 13 questions on regulation aimed at closing gaps between laws on the books and implementation.
Ending Child Marriage: Child Marriage Laws and Their Limitations , 2017
Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at... more Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at greater risk of experiencing a range of poor health outcomes, having children at younger ages when they are not yet ready to do so, dropping out of school, earning less over their lifetimes, and living in poverty compared to their peers who marry at later ages. These dynamics affect not only the girls themselves, but also their children and households, as well as communities and entire societies. Furthermore, in many countries, it remains legal to marry a girl before she turns 18, and even in countries where marriage before 18 is in principle illegal, too many girls continue to marry early. This brief summarizes findings from research undertaken by save the children and the World Bank on the lack of legal protection against child marriage for girls and marriages that take place below the national minimum age of marriage. The analysis suggests that many countries still do not effectively legally protect girls against child marriage, but also that legal reforms are not sufficient to end the practice as many girls marry illegally in countries where legal protections are in place. While protecting girls in the law against child marriage is an important first step, additional interventions are needed to prevent child marriage.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Global and Regional Trends in Women's Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment, 2018
Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Vio... more Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Violence leads to negative and, at times, dramatic mental and physical health consequences. It leads to increased absenteeism at work and limits mobility, thereby reducing productivity and earnings. It leads girls to drop out of school because going to school puts them at risk of abuse. It affects women’s decision-making ability within the household, including being able to seek services when needed.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
Download the Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment report.
Closing the Gap : Improving Laws Protecting Women from Violence. Women, Business and the Law;, 2015
Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls... more Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls in areas such as child marriage, domestic violence, and marital rape. It also collects data on remedies, such as the existence and scope of protection orders for victims of domestic violence. Violence thwarts women’s economic empowerment by limiting their ability to exercise agency and make choices. Violence against women and girls both reflects and reinforces inequalities between women and men. Where a girl can be legally married before she turns 18, she has less opportunity to make choices about her future. Where a woman suffers abuse from her husband, her health and psychological well-being are threatened and her capacity to work and function socially are impaired. If she is not able to work, she is forced into a subordinate position, both psychologically and economically, and the cycle of violence persists. Legal protection is crucial to reduce impunity and open avenues for redress. Yet Women, Business and the Law finds persisting gaps in laws protecting women from violence. Countries are increasingly protecting girls and women from violence. For example, between 2013 and 2015, Kenya, Luxembourg, Nicaragua, and Uruguay all raised the age of marriage for girls. Tonga’s 2013 Family Protection Act explicitly criminalizes marital rape. Georgia has amended its criminal code to expand the grounds of liability for domestic crimes, including rape, to spouses and other family members. Moreover, it reformed the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence to provide for removal of the perpetrator from the home. In its new penal code, Mozambique has amended Article 400, which had been in place since 1886 and allowed charges to be dropped if a rapist married his victim. And Belarus, Lebanon, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga adopted new laws on domestic violence that provide for protection orders. While there has clearly been progress, major gaps still need to be addressed. That Malawi and 8 other economies have raised the marital age shows movement in a positive direction. The adoption in the past 2 years of new domestic violence laws in some economies and more comprehensive provisions in others worldwide is also a telling indication of progress. But more is needed. Among the priorities of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are ‘eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres’ and ‘eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage,’ which recognize the need for enhanced legal protection for girls and women worldwide. International and regional commitments and instruments pave the way for change. And while the existence of more and better laws is a critical first step, better enforcement of the law is necessary to ensure protection for women. Only when women and girls are fully protected from violence will they be able to enjoy the same autonomy, freedom, and opportunities as men.
Casamento na Infância e Adolescência : A Educação das Meninas e a Legislação Brasileira (Portuguese), 2019
Esta nota foi elaborada para informar o diálogo sobre políticas para a eliminação do casamento na... more Esta nota foi elaborada para informar o diálogo sobre políticas para a eliminação do casamento na infância e adolescência no Brasil e aumentar a conscientização sobre o assunto no país. A análise faz parte de um programa de trabalho do Banco Mundial para catalisar a atenção e os investimentos visando a aumentar a escolaridade das meninas, acabar com o casamento na infância e adolescência e prevenir a gravidez precoce ao redor do mundo. No caso do Brasil, mais do que investimentos, é preciso iniciativas e ações específicas visando esses objetivos. A nota se baseia em dados dos censos de 2000 e 2010 e da PNAD de 2015 para documentar as tendências dessas questões no Brasil. Embasada por dados do programa Mulheres, Empresas e o Direito do Banco Mundial, esta nota também examina a legislação vigente relativa ao casamento infantil. Com base em evidências internacionais, a nota discute ainda políticas e programas para melhorar os resultados para meninas adolescentes.
Addressing Violence against Women (VAW) under COVID-19 in Brazil, 2020
Emerging evidence from COVID-19 impacts as well as lessons from past epidemics suggest that signi... more Emerging evidence from COVID-19 impacts as well as lessons from past epidemics suggest that significant risks of VAW increase in these contexts, especially in countries with weak health systems, weak rule of law, and already high levels of VAW and gender inequality. Recent reports indicate that this is also the case in Brazil. Data from the first two months of confinement measures (March-April 2020) point to a 22% increase in femicide and a 27% increase in complaints to the national VAW helpline, when compared to the same period of 2019. Increased economic stress due to income losses, anxiety in face of the epidemic and fear of contagion, social isolation and mandatory confinement with potential abusers and with children at home indicate that women and girls are likely to be more exposed to intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation and abuse during this period. While risks increase, access to health, security and justice sector services provided to survivors may be limited due to deprioritization of funding, closed facilities and restrictions on public mobility. This note aims at providing support to federal and subnational governments in understanding the increased risks of VAW in the country under COVID-19 and providing the most appropriate responses in the short, medium and longer term. It points to evidence of epidemic-related risk factors connected to increased levels of VAW, trends of VAW during the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil, policy measures and interventions implemented globally to mitigate adverse impacts, as well as response efforts that have been put in place both by governments and civil society organizations. It also compiles existing data available on increased VAW in the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to the main (direct and indirect) links between the two. While aiming to provide timely support during the ongoing pandemic, high frequency data available and the restrictions imposed by the present-day situation on data collection make it hard to assess the effective impact of such measures, interventions and response efforts. Their implementation should be accompanied carefully to provide lessons for others and potential future pandemics. As such, this is intended to be a living document that will contribute to the global knowledge on how countries are responding to VAW-COVID-19 related challenges by documenting actions in this sector. Overall, findings should be considered preliminary and will be updated based on consultations with Brazilian counterparts from government, civil society and experts.
Banco Mundial - Casamento na Infância e Adolescência: a Educação das Meninas e a Legislação Brasileira, 2019
Erradicar o casamento infantil é uma das metas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS)... more Erradicar o casamento infantil é uma das metas dos Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS). Os investimentos para acabar com essa prática, no entanto, são limitados; mundialmente, a redução da incidência de casamentos infantis tem sido muito lenta e, na trajetória atual, a meta dos ODS não será alcançada. O objetivo principal desta série de notas sobre a erradicação do casamento infantil é documentar o papel que as leis, políticas e intervenções ou programas específicos podem desempenhar para acabar com essa prática. Isso é feito por meio de análises de vários países e estudos de caso de países específicos.
A série também discute os fatores que incentivam essa prática, sua tendência ao longo do tempo e os compromissos assumidos pelos governos dos países ou outras partes interessadas para eliminar o casamento na infância e adolescência. Finalmente, a série tem como objetivo oferecer orientações sobre como medir o casamento infantil, elaborar diagnósticos e planejar estratégias e intervenções para erradicar a prática.
Ending child marriage : child marriage laws and their limitations (English), 2017
Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at... more Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at greater risk of experiencing a range of poor health outcomes, having children at younger ages when they are not yet ready to do so, dropping out of school, earning less over their lifetimes, and living in poverty compared to their peers who marry at later ages. These dynamics affect not only the girls themselves, but also their children and households, as well as communities and entire societies. Furthermore, in many countries, it remains legal to marry a girl before she turns 18, and even in countries where marriage before 18 is in principle illegal, too many girls continue to marry early. This brief summarizes findings from research undertaken by save the children and the World Bank on the lack of legal protection against child marriage for girls and marriages that take place below the national minimum age of marriage. The analysis suggests that many countries still do not effectively legally protect girls against child marriage, but also that legal reforms are not sufficient to end the practice as many girls marry illegally in countries where legal protections are in place. While protecting girls in the law against child marriage is an important first step, additional interventions are needed to prevent child marriage.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls - Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment, 2018
Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Vio... more Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Violence leads to negative and, at times, dramatic mental and physical health consequences. It leads to increased absenteeism at work and limits mobility, thereby reducing productivity and earnings. It leads girls to drop out of school because going to school puts them at risk of abuse. It affects women’s decision-making ability within the household, including being able to seek services when needed.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
WOMEN, BUSINESS AND THE LAW - Closing the Gap—Improving Laws Protecting Women from Violence, 2015
Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls... more Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls in areas such as child marriage, domestic violence, and marital rape. It also collects data on remedies, such as the existence and scope of protection orders for victims of domestic violence. Violence thwarts women’s economic empowerment by limiting their ability to exercise agency and make choices. Violence against women and girls both reflects and reinforces inequalities between women and men. Where a girl can be legally married before she turns 18, she has less opportunity to make choices about her future. Where a woman suffers abuse from her husband, her health and psychological well-being are threatened and her capacity to work and function socially are impaired. If she is not able to work, she is forced into a subordinate position, both psychologically and economically, and the cycle of violence persists. Legal protection is crucial to reduce impunity and open avenues for redress. Yet Women, Business and the Law finds persisting gaps in laws protecting women from violence. Countries are increasingly protecting girls and women from violence. The adoption in the past 2 years of new domestic violence laws in some economies and more comprehensive provisions in others worldwide is also a telling indication of progress. But more is needed. Among the priorities of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres” and “eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage,” which recognize the need for enhanced legal protection for girls and women worldwide. International and regional commitments and instruments pave the way for change. And while the existence of more and better laws is a critical first step, better enforcement of the law is necessary to ensure protection for women. Only when women and girls are fully protected from violence will they be able to enjoy the same autonomy, freedom, and opportunities as men.
Indicators Group Research Note World Bank Research and Development Center in Chile No. 4/December 2019, 2019
Effectively addressing violence against women requires coordinated action and comprehensive preve... more Effectively addressing violence against women requires coordinated action and comprehensive prevention, protection and response initiatives. Legal protections and guaranteed access to services are critical elements, but implementation also requires government commitments set out in national plans and through dedicated budgets. The data show that where there are dedicated budgets, services are more likely to exist. Moreover, initiatives focusing on prevention can address root causes and underlying risk factors, as well as save costs of later-stage crisis care and other interventions. Much has improved in the last two decades, but more is needed to address an issue that still affects over one in three women worldwide. By mapping out where measures and services exist to bridge the implementation gap on laws protecting women from violence, Women, Business and the Law aims to shed light on where good practices have emerged and where gaps still exist in providing more effective protection and response to survivors. This can encourage more policies that ensure that women like Marta can have the support they need to overcome this pervasive form of gender inequality and to fully access economic opportunities.
Protecting Women from Violence - Bridging the Implementation Gap Between Law and Practice, 2019
The Women, Business and the Law index includes measures of laws on
domestic violence and sexual h... more The Women, Business and the Law index includes measures of laws on domestic violence and sexual harassment. In addition to the data on domestic violence and sexual harassment legislation included in the Women, Business and the Law index, the global data collection exercise covers other aspects of gender-based violence, including the different types of abuse covered by domestic violence laws, legislation regulating the minimum age of marriage and prohibitions on child and early marriage, the existence of specialized courts or procedures for cases of domestic violence, as well as the availability of protection orders for survivors of domestic violence. This additional data can be accessed and downloaded from the Women Business and the Law website at wbl.worldbank.org. As part of the research, to understand where mechanisms have been adopted to enhance the effectiveness of laws in place, Women, Business and the Law undertook a pilot exercise examining the existence of certain key support services in a set of 100 economies by collecting data covering 13 questions on regulation aimed at closing gaps between laws on the books and implementation.
Ending Child Marriage: Child Marriage Laws and Their Limitations , 2017
Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at... more Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal union before the age of 18. Child brides are at greater risk of experiencing a range of poor health outcomes, having children at younger ages when they are not yet ready to do so, dropping out of school, earning less over their lifetimes, and living in poverty compared to their peers who marry at later ages. These dynamics affect not only the girls themselves, but also their children and households, as well as communities and entire societies. Furthermore, in many countries, it remains legal to marry a girl before she turns 18, and even in countries where marriage before 18 is in principle illegal, too many girls continue to marry early. This brief summarizes findings from research undertaken by save the children and the World Bank on the lack of legal protection against child marriage for girls and marriages that take place below the national minimum age of marriage. The analysis suggests that many countries still do not effectively legally protect girls against child marriage, but also that legal reforms are not sufficient to end the practice as many girls marry illegally in countries where legal protections are in place. While protecting girls in the law against child marriage is an important first step, additional interventions are needed to prevent child marriage.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Global and Regional Trends in Women's Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment, 2018
Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Vio... more Violence against women takes many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, and economic. Violence leads to negative and, at times, dramatic mental and physical health consequences. It leads to increased absenteeism at work and limits mobility, thereby reducing productivity and earnings. It leads girls to drop out of school because going to school puts them at risk of abuse. It affects women’s decision-making ability within the household, including being able to seek services when needed.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
Download the Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment report.
Closing the Gap : Improving Laws Protecting Women from Violence. Women, Business and the Law;, 2015
Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls... more Women, business and the law examines where economies provide legal protection for women and girls in areas such as child marriage, domestic violence, and marital rape. It also collects data on remedies, such as the existence and scope of protection orders for victims of domestic violence. Violence thwarts women’s economic empowerment by limiting their ability to exercise agency and make choices. Violence against women and girls both reflects and reinforces inequalities between women and men. Where a girl can be legally married before she turns 18, she has less opportunity to make choices about her future. Where a woman suffers abuse from her husband, her health and psychological well-being are threatened and her capacity to work and function socially are impaired. If she is not able to work, she is forced into a subordinate position, both psychologically and economically, and the cycle of violence persists. Legal protection is crucial to reduce impunity and open avenues for redress. Yet Women, Business and the Law finds persisting gaps in laws protecting women from violence. Countries are increasingly protecting girls and women from violence. For example, between 2013 and 2015, Kenya, Luxembourg, Nicaragua, and Uruguay all raised the age of marriage for girls. Tonga’s 2013 Family Protection Act explicitly criminalizes marital rape. Georgia has amended its criminal code to expand the grounds of liability for domestic crimes, including rape, to spouses and other family members. Moreover, it reformed the Law on the Elimination of Domestic Violence to provide for removal of the perpetrator from the home. In its new penal code, Mozambique has amended Article 400, which had been in place since 1886 and allowed charges to be dropped if a rapist married his victim. And Belarus, Lebanon, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga adopted new laws on domestic violence that provide for protection orders. While there has clearly been progress, major gaps still need to be addressed. That Malawi and 8 other economies have raised the marital age shows movement in a positive direction. The adoption in the past 2 years of new domestic violence laws in some economies and more comprehensive provisions in others worldwide is also a telling indication of progress. But more is needed. Among the priorities of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are ‘eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres’ and ‘eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage,’ which recognize the need for enhanced legal protection for girls and women worldwide. International and regional commitments and instruments pave the way for change. And while the existence of more and better laws is a critical first step, better enforcement of the law is necessary to ensure protection for women. Only when women and girls are fully protected from violence will they be able to enjoy the same autonomy, freedom, and opportunities as men.
Casamento na Infância e Adolescência : A Educação das Meninas e a Legislação Brasileira (Portuguese), 2019
Esta nota foi elaborada para informar o diálogo sobre políticas para a eliminação do casamento na... more Esta nota foi elaborada para informar o diálogo sobre políticas para a eliminação do casamento na infância e adolescência no Brasil e aumentar a conscientização sobre o assunto no país. A análise faz parte de um programa de trabalho do Banco Mundial para catalisar a atenção e os investimentos visando a aumentar a escolaridade das meninas, acabar com o casamento na infância e adolescência e prevenir a gravidez precoce ao redor do mundo. No caso do Brasil, mais do que investimentos, é preciso iniciativas e ações específicas visando esses objetivos. A nota se baseia em dados dos censos de 2000 e 2010 e da PNAD de 2015 para documentar as tendências dessas questões no Brasil. Embasada por dados do programa Mulheres, Empresas e o Direito do Banco Mundial, esta nota também examina a legislação vigente relativa ao casamento infantil. Com base em evidências internacionais, a nota discute ainda políticas e programas para melhorar os resultados para meninas adolescentes.
Addressing Violence against Women (VAW) under COVID-19 in Brazil, 2020
Emerging evidence from COVID-19 impacts as well as lessons from past epidemics suggest that signi... more Emerging evidence from COVID-19 impacts as well as lessons from past epidemics suggest that significant risks of VAW increase in these contexts, especially in countries with weak health systems, weak rule of law, and already high levels of VAW and gender inequality. Recent reports indicate that this is also the case in Brazil. Data from the first two months of confinement measures (March-April 2020) point to a 22% increase in femicide and a 27% increase in complaints to the national VAW helpline, when compared to the same period of 2019. Increased economic stress due to income losses, anxiety in face of the epidemic and fear of contagion, social isolation and mandatory confinement with potential abusers and with children at home indicate that women and girls are likely to be more exposed to intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation and abuse during this period. While risks increase, access to health, security and justice sector services provided to survivors may be limited due to deprioritization of funding, closed facilities and restrictions on public mobility. This note aims at providing support to federal and subnational governments in understanding the increased risks of VAW in the country under COVID-19 and providing the most appropriate responses in the short, medium and longer term. It points to evidence of epidemic-related risk factors connected to increased levels of VAW, trends of VAW during the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil, policy measures and interventions implemented globally to mitigate adverse impacts, as well as response efforts that have been put in place both by governments and civil society organizations. It also compiles existing data available on increased VAW in the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to the main (direct and indirect) links between the two. While aiming to provide timely support during the ongoing pandemic, high frequency data available and the restrictions imposed by the present-day situation on data collection make it hard to assess the effective impact of such measures, interventions and response efforts. Their implementation should be accompanied carefully to provide lessons for others and potential future pandemics. As such, this is intended to be a living document that will contribute to the global knowledge on how countries are responding to VAW-COVID-19 related challenges by documenting actions in this sector. Overall, findings should be considered preliminary and will be updated based on consultations with Brazilian counterparts from government, civil society and experts.
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A série também discute os fatores que incentivam essa prática, sua tendência ao longo do tempo e os compromissos assumidos pelos governos dos países ou outras partes interessadas para eliminar o casamento na infância e adolescência. Finalmente, a série tem como objetivo oferecer orientações sobre como medir o casamento infantil, elaborar diagnósticos e planejar estratégias e intervenções para erradicar a prática.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
Countries are increasingly protecting girls and women from violence. The adoption in the past 2 years of new domestic violence laws in some economies and more comprehensive provisions in others worldwide is also a telling indication of progress. But more is needed. Among the priorities of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres” and “eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage,” which recognize the need for enhanced legal protection for girls and women worldwide. International and regional commitments and instruments pave the way for change. And while the existence of more and better laws is a critical first step, better enforcement of the law is necessary to ensure protection for women. Only when women and girls are fully protected from violence will they be able to enjoy the same autonomy, freedom, and opportunities as men.
By mapping out where measures and services exist to bridge the implementation gap on laws protecting women from violence, Women, Business and the Law aims to shed light on where good practices have
emerged and where gaps still exist in providing more effective protection and response to survivors. This can encourage more policies that ensure that women like Marta can have the support they need to overcome this pervasive form of gender inequality and to fully access economic opportunities.
domestic violence and sexual harassment. In addition to the data on
domestic violence and sexual harassment legislation included in the
Women, Business and the Law index, the global data collection exercise
covers other aspects of gender-based violence, including the different
types of abuse covered by domestic violence laws, legislation regulating
the minimum age of marriage and prohibitions on child and early
marriage, the existence of specialized courts or procedures for cases of
domestic violence, as well as the availability of protection orders for
survivors of domestic violence. This additional data can be accessed and downloaded from the Women Business and the Law website at
wbl.worldbank.org.
As part of the research, to understand where mechanisms have been
adopted to enhance the effectiveness of laws in place, Women, Business
and the Law undertook a pilot exercise examining the existence of certain key support services in a set of 100 economies by collecting data covering 13 questions on regulation aimed at closing gaps between laws on the books and implementation.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
Download the Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment report.
Recent reports indicate that this is also the case in Brazil. Data from the first two months of confinement measures (March-April 2020) point to a 22% increase in femicide and a 27% increase in complaints to the national VAW helpline, when compared to the same period of 2019. Increased economic stress due to income losses, anxiety in face of the epidemic and fear of contagion, social isolation and mandatory confinement with potential abusers and with children at home indicate that women and girls are likely to be more exposed to intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation and abuse during this period. While risks increase, access to health, security and justice sector services provided to survivors may be limited due to deprioritization of funding, closed facilities and restrictions on public mobility.
This note aims at providing support to federal and subnational governments in understanding the increased risks of VAW in the country under COVID-19 and providing the most appropriate responses in the short, medium and longer term. It points to evidence of epidemic-related risk factors connected to increased levels of VAW, trends of VAW during the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil, policy measures and interventions implemented globally to mitigate adverse impacts, as well as response efforts that have been put in place both by governments and civil society organizations. It also compiles existing data available on increased VAW in the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to the main (direct and indirect) links between the two.
While aiming to provide timely support during the ongoing pandemic, high frequency data available and the restrictions imposed by the present-day situation on data collection make it hard to assess the effective impact of such measures, interventions and response efforts. Their implementation should be accompanied carefully to provide lessons for others and potential future pandemics. As such, this is intended to be a living document that will contribute to the global knowledge on how countries are responding to VAW-COVID-19 related challenges by documenting actions in this sector. Overall, findings should be considered preliminary and will be updated based on consultations with Brazilian counterparts from government, civil society and experts.
A série também discute os fatores que incentivam essa prática, sua tendência ao longo do tempo e os compromissos assumidos pelos governos dos países ou outras partes interessadas para eliminar o casamento na infância e adolescência. Finalmente, a série tem como objetivo oferecer orientações sobre como medir o casamento infantil, elaborar diagnósticos e planejar estratégias e intervenções para erradicar a prática.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
Countries are increasingly protecting girls and women from violence. The adoption in the past 2 years of new domestic violence laws in some economies and more comprehensive provisions in others worldwide is also a telling indication of progress. But more is needed. Among the priorities of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are “eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in the public and private spheres” and “eliminating all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage,” which recognize the need for enhanced legal protection for girls and women worldwide. International and regional commitments and instruments pave the way for change. And while the existence of more and better laws is a critical first step, better enforcement of the law is necessary to ensure protection for women. Only when women and girls are fully protected from violence will they be able to enjoy the same autonomy, freedom, and opportunities as men.
By mapping out where measures and services exist to bridge the implementation gap on laws protecting women from violence, Women, Business and the Law aims to shed light on where good practices have
emerged and where gaps still exist in providing more effective protection and response to survivors. This can encourage more policies that ensure that women like Marta can have the support they need to overcome this pervasive form of gender inequality and to fully access economic opportunities.
domestic violence and sexual harassment. In addition to the data on
domestic violence and sexual harassment legislation included in the
Women, Business and the Law index, the global data collection exercise
covers other aspects of gender-based violence, including the different
types of abuse covered by domestic violence laws, legislation regulating
the minimum age of marriage and prohibitions on child and early
marriage, the existence of specialized courts or procedures for cases of
domestic violence, as well as the availability of protection orders for
survivors of domestic violence. This additional data can be accessed and downloaded from the Women Business and the Law website at
wbl.worldbank.org.
As part of the research, to understand where mechanisms have been
adopted to enhance the effectiveness of laws in place, Women, Business
and the Law undertook a pilot exercise examining the existence of certain key support services in a set of 100 economies by collecting data covering 13 questions on regulation aimed at closing gaps between laws on the books and implementation.
Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment is part of a series of studies that examine the roles that laws, policies, and specific programs or interventions may play toward ending violence against women. This is done through both multi-country analysis and country case studies. The series also discusses some of the factors that drive various forms of violence against women and girls, and their trends over time.
Download the Global and Regional Trends in Women’s Legal Protection Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment report.
Recent reports indicate that this is also the case in Brazil. Data from the first two months of confinement measures (March-April 2020) point to a 22% increase in femicide and a 27% increase in complaints to the national VAW helpline, when compared to the same period of 2019. Increased economic stress due to income losses, anxiety in face of the epidemic and fear of contagion, social isolation and mandatory confinement with potential abusers and with children at home indicate that women and girls are likely to be more exposed to intimate partner violence and sexual exploitation and abuse during this period. While risks increase, access to health, security and justice sector services provided to survivors may be limited due to deprioritization of funding, closed facilities and restrictions on public mobility.
This note aims at providing support to federal and subnational governments in understanding the increased risks of VAW in the country under COVID-19 and providing the most appropriate responses in the short, medium and longer term. It points to evidence of epidemic-related risk factors connected to increased levels of VAW, trends of VAW during the COVID-19 epidemic in Brazil, policy measures and interventions implemented globally to mitigate adverse impacts, as well as response efforts that have been put in place both by governments and civil society organizations. It also compiles existing data available on increased VAW in the country since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, pointing to the main (direct and indirect) links between the two.
While aiming to provide timely support during the ongoing pandemic, high frequency data available and the restrictions imposed by the present-day situation on data collection make it hard to assess the effective impact of such measures, interventions and response efforts. Their implementation should be accompanied carefully to provide lessons for others and potential future pandemics. As such, this is intended to be a living document that will contribute to the global knowledge on how countries are responding to VAW-COVID-19 related challenges by documenting actions in this sector. Overall, findings should be considered preliminary and will be updated based on consultations with Brazilian counterparts from government, civil society and experts.