A data outlook on women’seconomic opportunities About IFC IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largestglobal development institution focused on the private sectorin emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries,using our capital, expertise, and influence to create marketsand opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2025, Copyright & Disclaimer © International Finance Corporation 2025. All rights reserved.2121 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. The material in this work is copyrighted. Copying and/or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may bea violation of applicable law. IFC does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the content included in thiswork, or for the conclusions or judgments described herein, and accepts no responsibility or liability for any omissions or errors Acknowledgments This publication was produced by the IFC Genderand Economic Inclusion Department (GEID)Thought Leadership Team. It was led by GenderData Hub Specialist, Tosin Kolajo Gbadegesin,under the guidance of Senior Operations Officer, The team is grateful to the following WorldBank Group colleagues for their support,review, and input: GEID Research Economist,Natnael Simachew Nigatu, Development ImpactEconomist, Hannah Irmela Uckat, Gender The team acknowledges the support of partnerorganizations, including UN Women, Bloomberg,Equileap, Economic Dividends for Gender Equality, The team would also like to thank Gina Wilkinsonfor editing this report and Beatriz Calvo Garro for Table of Contents Closing Gender Data Gaps: A Foundation for Advancing Women’s Economic OpportunitiesImpact of Data Gaps on Advancing Gender EqualityPurpose and Structure of this Report.................................................................................................. 9....................................................................................................................... 10 Research Objectives and ScopeResearch Design and MethodologyData Gaps FrameworkReview and Selection of Data SourcesLimitations.............................................................................................................................12........................................................................................................................ 12........................................................................................................................................ 13....................................................................................................................13........................................................................................................................................................ 14 3. Selected Data Sources Inclusive CapitalSupply ChainsInclusive EmploymentInclusive LeadershipGender-based ViolenceDigital AccessEducationFlexible Work and CareEqual Pay................................................................................................................................................. 21................................................................................................................................................... 23......................................................................................................................................... 23........................................................................................................................................... 24....................................................................................................................................... 25.................................................................................................................................................... 26......................................................................................................................................................... 27....................................................................................................................................... 28......................................................................................................................................................... 29 Data Coverage Across ThemesCommon Gaps Across all Data SourcesCommon Gaps Across Themes............................................................................................................................. 33.................................................................................................................. 33............................................................................................................................. 34 6. Recommendations and a Call to ActionStrategic Actions to Strengthen Gender Data for Private Sector Development........................................................................................................... 35............................................................. 36 List of T