Women, Business and the Law Removing barriers to economic inclusion 2012 68024 Measuring gender parity in 141 economies © 2011 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank 1818 H Street NW Washington, DC 20433 Telephone 202-473-1000 Internet www.worldbank.org All rights reserved. A copublication of The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. This volume is a product of the staff of the World Bank Group. The ï¬?ndings, interpretations and conclusions expressed in this volume do not necessarily reflect the views of the Executive Directors of the World Bank or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this work. This publication was made possible with the funding from the Nordic Trust Fund for Human Rights. The opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of the Nordic Trust Fund for Human Rights’ donors. 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In order for men and women throughout the developing world to have access to an earned income and own property, effort in a broad range of areas, from security and infrastructure to education and health is required. Main Findings In recent years, we have seen an increasing number of governments devote efforts to the formulation of sounder busi- ness regulations. The World Bank’s Doing Business publication, which tracks reforms in business regulations critical for small- and medium-size domestic ï¬?rms, highlights the efforts being made in countries as varied as Peru and Kazakhstan, Vietnam and Cape Verde, Hungary and China. And we see increasing evidence of the impact of these reforms on the formal registration of ï¬?rms, access to ï¬?nance and job creation. But how can we ensure that, as governments go about improving business regulation, women entrepreneurs and workers beneï¬?t alongside men? To answer this question, we must examine those regulations and institutions which differentiate between women and men in ways that affect their incentives or capacity to work, earn an income, own and manage property or set up and run a business. Women, Business and the Law focuses on this critical piece of the puzzle, objectively highlighting differentiations on the basis of gender in 141 economies around the world, covering six areas: accessing institutions, using property, getting a job, providing incentives to work, building credit and going to court. Women, Business and the Law describes regional trends and shows how economies are changing across these six areas, tracking governments’ actions to expand economic opportuni- ties for women. The empirical evidence suggests that, slowly but surely, governments are making progress in expanding opportunities for women. From June 2009 to March 2011, Women, Business and the Law recorded 46 legal and regulatory changes occurring in 39 economies that affected the indicators. Without doubt, 41 of these changes were aimed at achieving greater gender parity and reducing legal differentiation between men and women, with Kenya leading the way with the highest number of changes in this positive direction. These issues are of fundamental importance. International competitiveness and productivity have much to do with the efï¬?cient allocation of resources, including, of course, human resources. The efï¬?cient operation of our increasingly knowledge-based economy is not only a function of adequate levels of available ï¬?nance and a reasonably open trade regime for goods and services, but is also more and more dependent on our ability to tap into a society’s reservoir of talents and skills. When, because of tradition, social taboos or simple prejudice, half of the world’s population is prevented from making its contribution to the life of a nation, the economy will suffer. The skill set that the private sector can tap into will be necessarily narrower and shallower, with the result that productivity, the engine of sustainable growth, will be impaired. It is certainly no surprise that the most competitive economies in the world, those that have been better able to operate on the boundaries of the technology frontier, are also those where women have the same opportunities as men. It is our hope that data presented in Women, Business and the Law will both facilitate research on linkages between legal differentiation and outcomes for women, and promote better informed policy choices on what governments can do to expand opportunities for women. Janamitra Devan 1 http://www.unifem.org/gender_issues/women_ Vice President, Financial and Private Sector Development poverty_economics/facts_ï¬?gures.php#2 World Bank Group Women, Business and the Law 2012 1 Executive Summary For men and women throughout the developing world, the high-income economies have fewer legal differentiations chance to start and run a business or get a good job is the than middle- and low-income economies. However, even surest hope for a way out of poverty. Creating the kind of as income levels rise, these disparities do not necessarily environment in which this hope can flourish requires effort disappear, as 17 of the 39 high-income economies covered in a broad range of areas, from security and infrastructure have at least one legal gender differentiation between men to education and health. It also requires good business and women. regulation, suited to the purpose, streamlined and acces- sible, so that the opportunity to build a business or have Globally, women represent 49.6% of the total population, a good job is dependent not on connections, wealth or but only 40.8% of the total workforce in the formal sector. power, but on an individual’s initiative and ability. Differences in the way men and women are treated under the law may, in part, explain this gap. In fact, the Women, Measuring how regulations and institutions differentiate Business and the Law data show that economies with higher between women and men in ways that may affect women’s levels of legal differentiation between men and women incentives or capacity to work or to set up and run a busi- have, on average, lower female formal labor force partici- ness provides a basis for improving regulation. Women, pation—both in absolute terms and relative to men—and Business and the Law objectively measures such legal lower levels of women’s entrepreneurship. differentiations on the basis of gender in 141 economies around the world, covering six areas: accessing institu- From June 2009 to March 2011, Women, Business and the tions, using property, getting a job, providing incentives to Law recorded 46 legal and regulatory changes occurring in work, building credit, and going to court. Within these six 39 economies which affected the indicators. Forty-one of areas, we examined 21 legal differentiations for unmarried these changes were toward more gender parity, reducing women and 24 legal differentiations for married women legal differentiation between men and women. Four were for a total of 45 gender differences, covering aspects such neutral and one actually resulted in less gender parity as being able to get a job, sign a contract, register a busi- (Bolivia). Of the six areas studied, the one showing the ness, open a bank account, own property, work at night or highest number of changes was getting a job, in which in all industries, and retire at the same age as men. This there were 19 reforms. is a simpliï¬?ed measure of legal differentiation that does Slowly but surely, however, change is occurring. Kenya, not capture the full extent of the gender gap, nor does it the economy that had the highest number of reforms in indicate the relative importance of each aspect covered, the areas covered in Women, Business and the Law, is an but does provide a basic understanding of the prevalence example of this change. Kenya reformed in accessing of gender based legal differences in each economy. institutions, using property and in going to court. Many In 103 of the economies covered, there exists at least of the documented changes came about through Kenya’s one such legal difference between men and women new Constitution. This legal reform eliminated gender that may hinder women’s economic opportunities. In all differentiation under the law relating to a woman’s abil- economies, married women face as many or more differ- ity to pass her nationality to her child or spouse, entitles entiations as unmarried women. This loss in rights at the every Kenyan to a passport and all registration or identity time of marriage occurs for women, but not for men. No documents issued to citizens, and guarantees freedom of economy imposes all 45 legal differentiations on women. movement into, out of, and within Kenya for all citizens. Twenty-four economies impose ten or more legal differ- Furthermore, customary law in Kenya is no longer exempt entiations. None of these is in the high-income OECD, from constitutional provisions on non-discrimination. In or Eastern Europe and Central Asia or Latin America fact, customary law is now void if it is inconsistent with and the Caribbean. According to the methodology of the Constitution. Moreover, the same Constitution grants Women, Business and the Law, in 38 economies there are women equal rights before, during, and after marriage. It no legal differentiations on the basis of gender. On average, also grants women equality of inheritance rights for the 2 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Executive Summary ï¬?rst time. Kenya also has a new fast-track court procedure does not have any legal differentiation in both topics. Out for small claims. of 35 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, only ten (Angola, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, Across the globe, economies tend to cluster their legisla- South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe) have no legal differ- tive choices by region, in part because those economies entiation in these topics. Moreover, beneï¬?ts, such as pater- are likely to have a similar history and share certain nity leave, designed to share child raising responsibilities socio-cultural norms and values. High-income OECD and free women’s time to work outside the home are very economies and those in Eastern Europe and Central Asia rare in these three regions. In fact, none of the economies do not impose many legal restrictions on women. In fact, covered in South Asia offers any paternity leave. in these economies it is only labor regulations that are gender differentiated and these tend to beneï¬?t women. In a changing world, how can we be sure that women as However, there is a realization in some of these economies well as men entrepreneurs and workers obtain the beneï¬?t that by favoring women, they may be making them more from these changes? While many other factors—such expensive for employers to hire. This may be one of the as healthcare, education, and access to good basic infra- reasons behind the recent move towards more inclusive structure—are vitally important for advancing women’s beneï¬?ts such as parental leave. Both of these regions tend economic inclusion, having the same legal opportunities to give better access to justice through small claims courts as men is a signiï¬?cant part of the picture. By measuring and to credit by making credit bureaus and registries more where the law treats men and women differently, Women, prevalent and with a wider range of coverage. Business and the Law shines a light on how women’s incen- tives or capacity to work are affected by the legal environ- In Latin America and the Caribbean and in East Asia and ment. And what gets measured gets done. the Paciï¬?c, explicit legal gender differentiation is uncom- mon in the areas measured in accessing institutions and using property, but still exists in a few economies: Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand. Meanwhile, labor regulations are unlikely to include beneï¬?ts such as parental leave; among the 34 economies covered in these two regions, only Taiwan, China grants parental leave. Institutions such as small claims courts are present in approximately half of the economies covered. The Middle East and North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa are the three regions in which explicit legal gender differentiations are more common, both in accessing institutions and in using property. All 14 econo- mies covered in the Middle East and North Africa have at least one legal differentiation in both accessing institu- tions and using property. In South Asia, only Sri Lanka Women, Business and the Law 2012 3 About Women, Business and the Law Until the 1800s, most of the world’s women enjoyed responsibility between mothers and fathers abolished the fewer legal rights than men in areas that have a potential expression “paternal power,â€? and substituted the gender impact on women’s economic opportunities. This was true neutral term “family power.â€? for what are now developed economies as well as those that are still developing. Since then many economies have Though there has been much progress toward legal parity moved at different speeds towards a more equal legal between women and men throughout the world, impor- system for men and women. The following examples from tant distinctions still exist that may prevent women from around the world illustrate this evolution. improving their own and their families’ well-being by working or by running a business. For men and women Until the 1840s, married women in the United States throughout the developed and developing world, the were legally subordinate to their husbands and unable to chance to start and run a business or get a good job is the control their own property. Now, married women are on surest hope for a way out of poverty. Creating the environ- equal standing with married men. Similar rules applied in ment in which this hope can flourish—for women as well England until 1870, when the Married Women’s Property as men—requires effort in a broad range of areas, from Act ï¬?rst allowed married women to have a separate legal security and infrastructure to education and health. It also identity from their husbands and thus control their own requires well-tailored, accessible business regulation that wages, property and inheritance independently of their gives women with initiative and ability the opportunity to husbands. build a business or have a good job, without depending on connections, wealth or power. In China, the equalization of rights between men and women came on the heels of political change. The ï¬?rst law The Doing Business report has led the way in providing promulgated after the founding of new China in 1949, the data to countries about creating a sounder and more Marriage Law of the People’s Republic of China, stipulated streamlined business environment. But how to be sure women’s equal status in marriage and the family, laying that as governments improve their business regulations, a legal foundation for women’s professional choices. This women entrepreneurs and workers beneï¬?t alongside recognition of the importance of equality in the family men? Answering this question requires an understanding was reinforced in the 1981 revised Marriage Law, which of many factors, from access to good basic infrastructure, stressed the equal rights and responsibilities of men and education and healthcare, to social and cultural norms. women within marriage. The 1982 Constitution and the 1985 Law of Succession of the People’s Republic of China Another important piece of the puzzle has to do with further strengthened women’s property and inheritance the laws, regulations and institutions that differentiate rights. between women and men in ways that affect their incen- tives or capacity to work or to set up and run a business. In Brazil, despite a 1934 constitutional provision estab- Women, Business and the Law focuses on ï¬?lling in some of lishing gender equality, discriminatory provisions against the information gaps for this particular piece of the puzzle. women continued in the Civil Code and other statutory legislation until 1988. Prior to that, the husband was the Women, Business, and the Law 2012 is the second in this head of the household and had the sole right and duty to series of reports. This edition retains the same basic legally represent the family, administer marital assets—as structure of the 2010 pilot edition, while signiï¬?cantly well as his wife’s separate assets—and to choose the domi- expanding the depth of data covered. While the number cile and provide for the family. In 2002, the new Civil Code of topics covered is the same, there has been a signiï¬?cant was enacted with provisions ensuring full legal equality expansion of the data collected within these topics, thus between husbands and wives, particularly regarding the addressing some of the initial shortcomings of the pilot administration of marital property, reinforcing the equality edition. The number of economies covered has also been provisions in the 1988 Constitution. Regulations on shared expanded from 128 to 141. 4 Women, Business and the Law 2012 What this report covers Getting a job—assesses restrictions on women’s work such as prohibitions on working at night or in Datasets such as the Enterprise Surveys1 and Doing Business2 certain industries. This indicator also covers laws on delineate the challenges that all ï¬?rms and entrepreneurs work-related maternity, paternity, and parental bene- face in expanding their businesses and creating jobs. But ï¬?ts and on retirement ages. Some differentiations in female entrepreneurs and employees often face addi- labor law may increase job opportunities for women, tional constraints in starting businesses and navigating the while others may limit them. Parental leave policies workforce. In 2010, the Global Gender Gap Index reported are generally expected to generate a more equitable that 96% of the gender gap in health and 93% of the gap division of childrearing responsibilities, giving women in education have been eliminated. But the gender gap for the same opportunities for career advancement as economic participation remains at 41%.3 About WBL men. But restrictions on working hours or participa- Women, Business and the Law focuses on gender differ- tion in certain industries—ostensibly designed to entiations in legal treatment in areas affecting women’s protect women—may end up limiting their ability to participation in the economy, one of many sets of factors get the jobs they want. Similarly, gender-differentiat- that determine the course of women’s working lives. ed retirement ages have the potential to affect career Covering 141 economies, it establishes six indicators of prospects, lifetime earnings, pension beneï¬?ts and gender differences in formal laws and institutions: retirement savings. For the ï¬?rst time, the report pres- ents data on equal-pay-for-equal-work legislation, Accessing institutions—explores women’s legal abil- designed to improve women’s income levels. ity to interact with public authorities and the private sector in the same ways as men. Lack of autonomy Providing incentives to work—examines personal to interact with government institutions or conduct income tax liabilities, taking into account the tax ofï¬?cial transactions may limit a woman’s access to credits and deductions available to women relative resources and services and restrict her ability to be to men. For the ï¬?rst time, this topic covers not only an entrepreneur or get a job. This topic was expanded taxation, but also the public provision of childcare and this year to provide disaggregated information on 12 education. This type of public service is more likely different categories of legal ability, highlighting the to affect women’s availability to work, since women differences between married and unmarried women. traditionally devote more of their time to child rearing Furthermore, for the ï¬?rst time accessing institutions than men. Gender differences in tax treatment and in partially addresses the interaction between custom- the provision of childcare may both affect women’s ary law and codiï¬?ed law by examining the constitu- decisions to work, hence the renaming of this indica- tional treatment of customary law. When customary tor to “providing incentives to work.â€? law is applied—that is, law which is based on the Building credit—identiï¬?es minimum loan thresholds accepted customs or practices of a particular group— in private credit bureaus and public credit registries it may limit women’s legal capacity, while exempting and tracks bureaus and registries that collect infor- customary law from constitutional provisions on mation from microï¬?nance institutions. Low minimum nondiscrimination can reinforce this inequality. loan thresholds mean more coverage for small Using property—analyzes women’s ability to access businesses—many of which are owned by women, and use property based on their capacity to own, who tend to take out small loans. Such loans can manage, control and inherit it. This year, for the ï¬?rst help these businesses build credit histories if credit time, using property examines joint titling and the bureaus and registries set low thresholds for inclusion default marital property regime, both crucial factors in their data. And because most microï¬?nance users for assessing women’s property rights. The ability to are women, they are more likely to beneï¬?t from credit access, manage and control property can be especial- bureaus and registries that collect and distribute ly important in developing economies, where women microï¬?nance data. Having a credit record can allow are more likely to work in family enterprises and women to graduate to larger loans. where their income affects their access to property. Going to court—considers the ease and affordabil- ity of justice by examining women’s access to small Women, Business and the Law 2012 5 claims courts, which can facilitate access to the legal The last two indicators, building credit and going to court system for small business owners, making it cheaper examine the ease of access to credit bureaus and courts and faster for women who own businesses—which to assess the indirect effects that microï¬?nance institutions tend to be smaller—to resolve disputes. This year, and dispute resolution have on women, who are more like- the going to court section also includes information ly to rely on nontraditional ï¬?nancial services.4 In addition, on whether women’s testimony is given the same going to court now captures laws that have explicit gender evidentiary weight as that of men, and whether differentiations regarding accessing legal services. The married women have the legal capacity to ï¬?le cases questions used to construct each indicator were chosen on their own, or require their husbands’ permission based on data availability, economic relevance and varia- to do so. These are explicit differentiations in the law tion in regulation across economies. which make it more difï¬?cult for women to access the legal system. Women, Business and the Law focuses on gender differentia- tions in legal treatment that can affect women’s economic The ï¬?rst three indicators: accessing institutions, using opportunities. This focus overlaps to a signiï¬?cant degree property, and getting a job capture mainly those laws with human rights work on gender equality issues, having direct gender dimensions and are based on a read- particularly in the area of women’s economic and social ing of such laws from the perspective of individual women. rights (see Box 2.1). For the ï¬?rst time, the report includes In addition, each of these three indicators also examines an annex, providing a better basis for understanding the areas of the law with indirect gender dimensions. For overlap between human rights for women and women’s instance, the constitutional treatment of customary law economic opportunities. is gender neutral in the text of the law, but may have a greater impact on women in practice. The fourth indica- For the ï¬?rst time, Women, Business and the Law 2012 is able tor—providing incentives to work—examines not only to analyze two years of data and discuss how regulations explicit gender differentiations which may exist in tax law, have evolved from 2009 to 2011 across the six different but also the public provision of services that are not gender indicators described above. This year’s report highlights differentiated by design, but which are more likely to favor those economies which have made changes in any of women in practice. these six topics, as reflected in the data. BOX 2.1 WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: THE EQUAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN UNDER HUMAN RIGHTS LAW The concept of equality is a central pillar of the international human rights regime. The text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted in 1948 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, opens by emphasizing that “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.â€? Article 1 of the Universal Declaration proclaims all human beings to be “born free and equal in dignity and rights,â€? while Articles 2 and 7 lay the groundwork for speciï¬?c legal protections concerning equality and nondiscrimination.5 All of the major human rights treaties adopted by the international community since the Universal Declaration have carried through on this fundamental commitment to equality.6 As such, the principles of equality and nondiscrimination cut across the full panoply of human rights and fundamental freedoms, whatever their nature. Beyond this cross-cutting commitment to equality in general, the international community further elaborated its commitment to gender equality through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).7 With 187 current States Parties, CEDAW has been ratiï¬?ed almost universally and serves as the most important international instrument protecting women’s human rights.8 Forty-two States Parties, however, have expressed reservations9 to at least one of the CEDAW provisions, thereby limiting the scope of the treaty within those States. The Convention prohibits all forms of gender-based discrimi- nation against women and provides for the full equality of women with respect to all human rights and fundamental freedoms, whether in the public or private sphere. While coverage of the Convention is comprehensive, a substantial portion of the text is devoted speciï¬?cally to women’s economic and social rights. 6 Women, Business and the Law 2012 The Women, Business and the Law indicators complement What this report does not cover a number of existing sets of gender indicators. These Equal opportunities for women in business and the work- include: place depend on the interplay of various economic, social The Global Gender Gap Index, published by the World and cultural factors. For example, unless women have Economic Forum, which examines global gender opportunities to get an education or build their skills, equal inequalities using criteria based on economics, poli- rights to certain professions can mean little. Equalizing tics, education and health. This index uses mainly rights to work may not necessarily result in more women quantitative outcome variables such as the ratio of entering the workforce, if they are still expected to be the female to male labor force participation. primary care-givers for their children, and if access to child The Social Institutions and Gender Index, which provides care is limited. Less direct factors such as infrastructure— About WBL a composite measure of gender equality based on for example, safe transportation and good street light- the OECD’s Gender, Institutions and Development ing—may also affect women’s ability and desire to work in Database. This index includes 12 indicators on social certain locations or at night. institutions grouped into ï¬?ve categories: family code, This report recognizes the many issues that affect women’s physical integrity, son preference, civil liberties and economic opportunities, but focuses on one particular ownership rights. These indicators are based on expert area: aspects of the formal legal and regulatory environ- assessments of what happens in practice beyond ment that enable women to manage their own businesses the basic legal framework. They focus on policy and or ï¬?nd and maintain jobs. Although there was an effort in input variables, such as inheritance regulation, and on this second edition to reduce some of the methodologi- outcome variables, such as access to credit. cal shortcomings of the pilot, the report still represents The United Nations Gender Info 2007, a database a partial effort on several levels, both in the selection of of gender statistics and indicators focused on policy the broad topic areas and within each topic area itself. For areas such as population, families, health, education, example, the indicator on accessing institutions does not employment and political participation. Using some include laws covering afï¬?rmative action and voting rights. of these indicators, the United Nations Development Programme produces the Gender-Related Development Although many women in developing economies work Index and Gender Empowerment Measure, which or start businesses in the informal economy, the report are part of the Human Development Index. All of focuses on laws that govern the formal economy, ï¬?rst these indicators are based on quantitative outcome because of the difï¬?culty of identifying the often unwritten variables. rules of the informal economy; and also by the underlying premise that when women move from the informal to the The Women’s Economic Opportunity Index, published formal economy, they obtain greater opportunities in high- by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2010, which er-paying industries, greater social protection and formal examines 26 indicators to understand regulations, mechanisms for recourse should their rights be denied. practices, and social customs that affect women However, in practice, all the indicators other than getting workers and entrepreneurs. These indicators include a job and providing incentives to work cover regulations both policy variables, such as measures of the regu- that affect women in both the formal and informal sectors. latory environment, and outcome variables, such as measures of educational attainment. The index pres- Customary law can exist in parallel with formal legal ents a mix of objective and expert-based indicators. regimes. Where such legal systems exist together, custom- ary law can determine a woman’s rights in marriage or to Women, Business and the Law adds to the indices above by property and inheritance, often granting women rights being the only dataset measuring the gender gap in legisla- different from those they would receive under the formal tion using quantitative and objective data. Expert assess- legal system. For the ï¬?rst time, the current edition of ments are not included in Women, Business and the Law, and Women, Business and the Law attempts, albeit partially, although outcome variables are not part of the dataset, they to cover customary law by examining its constitutional are used in the analysis presented in the report. treatment. In particular, the report analyzes whether customary law is exempt from constitutional provisions Women, Business and the Law 2012 7 on nondiscrimination. However, the actual application Why this focus of customary law is not covered. Though customary law Women, Business and the Law focuses on six legal or institu- can signiï¬?cantly affect a woman’s ability to become an tional indicators that can influence women’s ability to earn entrepreneur or participate in the job market, the report an income, get jobs, and start businesses. Following are presents only this partial measure, due to the difï¬?culties several research papers and publications which illustrate in deï¬?ning its rules. these results: In focusing on written legislation, the report recognizes In Sub-Saharan Africa, although there is no short- the often large gaps between law on the books and actual age of women entrepreneurs, women-run ï¬?rms are practice; women do not always have access to the equality more likely to be informal, smaller and operate in that may be theirs under formal law. But identifying legal lower value-added sectors than those run by men. differentiation is one step towards better understand- These differences in the characteristics of women- vs. ing where and how women’s economic rights may be male-run ï¬?rms can be explained, in part, by the fact restricted in practice. Of all the countries covered by this that women tend to have less secure property rights report, only three: the Islamic Republic of Iran, Sudan and and less capacity to legally act on their own in many the United States10 are not party to CEDAW. Thirty-two of Sub-Saharan African countries.11 The Sub-Saharan the remaining countries covered by this report, however, African region is not an exception when it comes to have expressed reservations regarding at least one of the links between property rights, access to ï¬?nance the CEDAW provisions. Thus, it would seem that the and business productivity.12 Research has shown the vast majority of women in the countries that are party to strengths of these links independent of the gender the convention without reservations should have access dimension.13 to formal equality. But as the report shows, they do not. Strong property rights for women have been shown to Moreover, the majority of countries covered in this study have beneï¬?ts beyond those related to entrepreneur- grant equal rights in their national constitutions, thus ship. For example, women’s access to land has been making many of the gender differentiated provisions high- linked to gains in family welfare and children’s health.14 lighted throughout the report in effect unconstitutional. Property rights are even more essential in low-income The report’s focus on formal law is consistent with the idea economies, where women are more likely to work in that facilitating the entry of women into the labor force family businesses, and their income is more likely to involves improving the regulatory environment for women, be determined by how much property they own.15 In stimulating business and job creation, and making busi- Colombia, women use property and social assets to nesses and the overall economy more competitive. The negotiate the right to work, control their own income, report does not test or analyze outcome variables of gender move freely, and live without spousal violence.16 inequality; it simply identiï¬?es whether the law is equal Gender-speciï¬?c provisions in labor regulations can for women and men, since the law is a potential source vary in their impact on opportunities and outcomes for of inequitable gender outcomes. Assessing the potential women. In Taiwan, China, for example, working hours beneï¬?ts of equality—and when and how legal differentia- restrictions were found to decrease the number of tion on the basis of gender helps or harms outcomes for hours women work, but maternity beneï¬?ts increased women—requires additional analysis beyond the scope women’s labor force participation.17 Research cover- of this report. But it is hoped that these new data will ing 40 countries suggests that women may pursue inform such an analysis, foster discussion on advancing entrepreneurship not necessarily because they have women’s economic rights and provide policymakers with innovative business ideas, but because they lack job tools to identify potential ways to improve those rights. By opportunities due to restrictive regulations.18 While focusing on the law, which is tangible and concrete, the differential retirement ages may in some cases have report aims to provide policymakers with a starting point originally been legislated for the purpose of protect- for dialogue and action. ing women, such differential treatment in the retire- ment age for men and women can create disparities in lifetime earnings, pension beneï¬?ts and retirement savings.19 Moreover, early retirement for women may 8 Women, Business and the Law 2012 result in their not being promoted to senior manage- User’s guide ment positions, thus providing men with better career Women, Business and the Law is designed to identify promotion opportunities.20 potential challenges and improve the understanding of Personal income tax liability can affect workers’ deci- how legal and regulatory environments shape women’s sions about how much or whether to work. Women, economic opportunities. The report can be used to create particularly those who are married, are more affected awareness, to inform policy discussions on some areas of by income tax rules.21 In particular, childcare subsidies, gender differentiations in the law in particular economies, such as tax credits and the availability of childcare and inform policymakers on areas of action concerning increase women’s participation in the labor force.22 women’s economic rights and opportunities. Access to ï¬?nance is an important constraint for busi- About WBL Women, Business and the Law is also designed for research- nesses and research has shown that it is especially ers, as the report and data can be used to further country- so for women-owned businesses. In a 2004 survey level and cross-country research efforts on linkages of Bosnian women entrepreneurs, 54% reported that between legal differentiations and outcomes for women. obstacles prevented them from accessing formal Over time, as more data become available, Women, credit.23 These obstacles included lack of property Business and the Law could also be used to study those registered in their names, traditional views about a linkages along the time dimension. woman’s role in the home and women’s tendency to be in lower-proï¬?t industries considered higher risk by banks. Another study in Eastern Europe and Central Data and methodology Asia found that women who run businesses are less The data in this report were collected over one year ending likely to obtain bank loans than men.24 In Italy, women in July 2011. The data are current as of March 2011. The pay more for overdraft facilities than men, yet there indicators in the report were constructed using responses is no evidence that women pose a greater risk.25 from country practitioners with expertise in family and Women around the world usually start their busi- labor law, members of civil society organizations working nesses with lower levels of ï¬?nancial capital than men on gender issues, and codiï¬?ed sources of national law, do.26 However, it is important to note that providing such as constitutions, marriage and family codes, labor ï¬?nance to female-run businesses may have a smaller codes, passport procedures, citizenship rules, inheritance than expected impact on ï¬?rms’ proï¬?ts and growth, statutes, tax regulations, civil procedure codes, education possibly due to other constraints and intra-household acts, and social security codes. Wherever possible, data dynamics.27 from country practitioners were veriï¬?ed directly against the actual text of the law, and these laws have been made The United Nations Development Programme cites available on the Women, Business and the Law website. The long delays, prohibitive costs and formal legal proce- Gender Law Library and other online sources were also dures as barriers to access to justice.28 Furthermore, used to access laws. In addition, responses from the Doing UN Women recommends using one-stop-shops, such Business 2012 surveys were used to develop the building as small claims courts, to improve women’s access to credit indicator, and supplemented the information in the justice.29 Research has shown that legal formalities getting a job and going to court indicators. and the costs of litigation, both direct and incidental, discourage poor people from accessing courts.30 Even This report collected data on 141 economies. For three for relatively simple disputes, legal formalities are of the topics: accessing institutions, using property and associated with lower contract enforceability, longer getting a job, historical data on legal reform for a restricted duration of cases and a perception among partici- set of countries were collected and are discussed in the pants of lower-quality justice.31 analysis presented in this report. More detailed data on each economy, including the historical data and links to the legal sources used, are available on the Women, Business and the Law website (http://wbl.worldbank.org). Women, Business and the Law 2012 9 In comparing this large sample of economies, several ENDNOTES assumptions are made about the situation of the women 1 See http://www.enterprisesurveys.org/ in question. For example, it is assumed that they reside 2 See http://www.doingbusiness.org/ in each economy’s largest business city. This assumption 3 World Economic Forum (2010). According to the Global Gender may make a signiï¬?cant difference in federal countries, Gap report, the economic participation and opportunity gap “is captured through three concepts: the participation gap, the remu- where laws affecting women can vary by state. In addi- neration gap and the advancement gap. The participation gap is tion, where several sets of personal law apply, setting captured through the difference in labour force participation rates. out different rights and obligations for different groups The remuneration gap is captured through a hard data indicator of women, the data focus on the situation of the largest (ratio of estimated female-to-male earned income) and a quali- tative variable calculated through the World Economic Forum’s group of women. This represents a change from last year’s Executive Opinion Survey (wage equality for similar work). Finally, methodology, where the situation of the most restricted the gap between the advancement of women and men is captured group was considered. A detailed explanation of the through two hard data statistics (the ratio of women to men among legislators, senior ofï¬?cials and managers, and the ratio of report’s methodology and recent changes to the method- women to men among technical and professional workers).â€? http:/ / ology—including all the questions used and assumptions www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_GenderGap_Report_2010.pdf made—is provided in the Data notes. The methodology 4 Coleman and Carsky (1996); Coleman (2000); Orser, Hogarth- regarding the historical data is presented on the Women, Scott and Riding (2000). Business and the Law website. 5 Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides: “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as What’s next? race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opin- ion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Future editions of this report will seek to expand coverage Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the to additional economies and expand or reï¬?ne the current political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or indicators in light of the overlap of Women, Business and territory to which a person belongs, whether it be indepen- the Law with human rights law. As progress is monitored dent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.â€? on the six indicators, it will become possible to identify Article 7 provides: which economies are more active in changing laws on “All are equal before the law and are entitled without any women’s economic rights over longer periods of time than discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to the two years of data that are currently available. Thus, equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.â€? future editions will contain more detail on legal changes 6 For example, see the International Covenant on Civil and Political and the processes associated with legal reforms equalizing Rights (entered into force in 1976), Preamble and Articles 2(1), rights of men and women. Beyond what is already covered 3 and 26; the International Covenant on Economic, Social and in the getting a job indicator, future editions of the report Cultural rights (entered into forced in 1976), Preamble and Articles may expand the set of indicators to include such areas as 2(2) and 3; the Convention on the Rights of the Child (entered into force in 1990), Preamble and Article 2(1). alternative dispute resolution and gender differentiation in 7 The text of the Convention, which was adopted in 1979 and industry-speciï¬?c regulations. entered into force in 1981, may be accessed at: http://www.un.org/ womenwatch/daw/cedaw/states.htm Feedback is welcome on all aspects of the report and can 8 Ratiï¬?cation information is available through the United Nations be provided through the Women, Business and the Law Treaty Collection website: http:/ /treaties.un.org/Pages/View website. Details.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-8&chapter=4&lang=en. 9 A reservation is deï¬?ned in Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties as: “a unilateral statement, however phrased or named, made by a State or by an international organization when signing, ratifying, formally conï¬?rming, accepting, approving or acceding to a treaty, whereby it purports to exclude or to modify the legal effect of certain provisions of the treaty in their applica- tion to that State or to that organization.â€? http://untreaty.un.org/ ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/1_1_1969.pdf 10 Women, Business and the Law 2012 10 The United States signed the Convention, but has not ratiï¬?ed it. 22 Averett, Peters and Waldman (1997); Baker, Gruber and Milligan (2008). 11 Hallward-Driemeier (2011a). 23 World Learning STAR Network (2004). 12 Sabarwal and Terrell (2008). 24 Muravyev, Talavera and Schäfer (2009). 13 Cull and Xu (2005); Johnson, McMillan and Woodruff (2002). 25 Alesina, Lotti and Mistrulli (2008). 14 Allendorf (2007); Duflo (2003). 26 Robb and Coleman (2008). 15 Mammen and Paxson (2000). 27 de Mel et al. (2008, 2009); Banerjee et al. (2010); and Karlan and 16 Friedemann-Sanchez (2008); Deere and Leon (2001, 2003). Zinman (2010). 17 Zveglich and Rodgers (2003). 28 Access to Justice Practice Note 9/3/2004 http://www.undp.org/ 18 Ardagna and Lusardi (2008, 2009). governance/docs/Justice_PN_English.pdf About WBL 19 Levine, Mitchell and Phillips (1999). 29 UN Women (2011). 20 Adams (2002). 30 Gloppen and Kanyongolo (2007). 21 Eissa (1995); Eissa and Hoynes (2004); Eissa, Kleven and Kreiner 31 Djankov et al. (2003). (2008). Women, Business and the Law 2012 11 Main Findings There is a common perception that the lack of legal parity These differentiations are identiï¬?ed by comparing men for women is an issue affecting primarily the developing and women of the same marital status on the following world. Although it is true that middle- and low-income 21 different actions which they may, or may not, legally economies are more likely to have laws on the books perform in the same way: that restrict the rights of women more than those of men, 1. applying for a passport many developed economies had similar legal restrictions 2. traveling outside the country for women not so long ago. For example, until 1981, only 30 years ago, women in Spain did not have access to 3. traveling outside the home courts, employment, or full participation in all aspects of 4. getting a job or pursuing a trade or profession social and economic activity without the permission of without permission their husbands or fathers. 5. signing a contract 6. registering a business In fact, the history of women’s rights in Spain has not been without its setbacks and advances. During the 7. being “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? period of the Second Republic (1931–1935) great strides 8. conferring citizenship on their children were made in the recognition of women’s rights, but 9. opening a bank account these were abolished soon after the establishment of the 10. choosing where to live Franco regime. Women were taken back to their tradi- 11. having ownership rights over moveable property tional roles at home and the laws approved under the 12. having ownership rights over immoveable First Republic, which had granted greater rights to women, property were eliminated. The principle of equality adopted in the Spanish Constitution of 1931 was abolished, and legal 13. having inheritance rights over moveable property principles such as being legal minors for life applied to 14. having inheritance rights over immoveable women, particularly married women. Legal capacity was property directly linked to gender and conditioned by marital status. 15. working the same night hours After the end of the Franco regime, with the adoption of 16. working in the same industries the new Spanish Constitution in 1978 and the new Civil 17. enjoying the same statutory retirement age Code in 1981, the principle of equality was reestablished 18. enjoying the same pensionable age as a socio-political and economic right. By becoming a pioneer in legislating quotas for women on corporate 19. enjoying the same tax deductions or credits boards, Spain is now going beyond establishing equality 20. having their testimony carry the same eviden- for women and pursuing afï¬?rmative action legislation. tiary weight in court 21. being able to initiate legal proceedings without Gender differences in the law: permission How common are they? In addition to these 21 actions applicable to both The majority of economies are not at the level of legal unmarried and married women (making a total of 42 parity which Spain has managed to achieve. In 103 econo- questions), three more applicable only to married mies, there is at least one legal differentiation between women are included: men and women that can prevent women from getting a 22. being able to convey citizenship to her non- job or starting their own businesses. Women, Business and national husband the Law measures 21 differentiations for unmarried women and 24 differentiations for married women, for a total of 23. being required by law to obey her husband 45 gender based differences in the law, across ï¬?ve topics.1 24. having inheritance rights to the property of her deceased spouse 12 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Of the 91 different questions covered by Women, Business No economy imposes all 45 legal differentiations on all and the Law only 45, which refer to explicit legal differentia- married and unmarried women. Twenty-four economies tions outside of parental beneï¬?ts are being counted in this impose ten or more legal differentiations. None of these measure. The remaining questions that are not included is in high-income OECD, or Eastern Europe and Central in this measure can be divided into two major types: ï¬?rst, Asia or Latin America and the Caribbean. In 38 economies, those questions that do not cover explicit legal differentia- there are no legal differentiations of the type measured tions, such as, “What is the default property regime?â€? or by Women, Business and the Law (ï¬?gure 3.1). The type “Are payments for childcare tax deductible?â€? These ques- and number of differentiations vary considerably across tions are important for understanding the legal setting or regions (ï¬?gure 3.2) and income levels (ï¬?gure 3.3). High- the institutions that may affect women disproportionally; income economies have on average fewer differentiations second, questions that do cover explicit legal differentia- than middle- and low-income economies. However, these tions in labor regulations regarding parental beneï¬?ts, such differentiations do not disappear as income levels rise. In as, maternity beneï¬?ts. These questions are excluded from fact, 17 of the 39 high-income economies covered have at the 45 questions mentioned above because legal differen- least one legal differentiation. tiation in this area is the norm, not the exception. In all economies, married women face as many or more By counting the differentiations that apply to married and differentiations as unmarried women. This loss in rights at to unmarried women, a crude measure of gender legal the time of marriage occurs for women, but not for men. In differentiation is created. This measure does not take into 121 economies unmarried women have the same rights as account that some differentiations may be more important unmarried men regarding the ï¬?rst 10 questions listed above, to certain women than others. For instance, for a woman but only in 97 economies do married women have the same not interested in working in the mining industry, having rights as married men. Furthermore, in all the economies Main Findings a restriction that prevents her from doing so is irrelevant covered unmarried women have the same rights over to her interests. However, a restriction that prevents her movable or immoveable property as men, but this parity from signing a contract without her husband’s or guard- does not apply for married women versus married men. ian’s consent may be very relevant if she wants to make the contractual commitments needed for her business’ operations. Nevertheless, this simplistic measure is useful for the purposes of analyzing the data. FIGURE 3.1 NUMBER OF ECONOMIES PER NUMBER OF LEGAL DIFFERENTIATIONS 24 38 21 16 42 Legal differentiations: 0 1 to 3 4 to 6 7 to 9 10 and above Source: Women, Business and the Law database. Women, Business and the Law 2012 13 FIGURE 3.2 LEGAL DIFFERENTIATIONS PER REGION 100% 90% 80% Percentage of economies 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% East Asia Europe & High-income: Latin America Middle East & South Sub-Saharan & Pacific Central Asia OECD & Caribbean North Africa Asia Africa Average 4.5 5.2 1.4 3.4 17.2 10.0 6.3 Legal Differentiations: 0 1 to 3 4 to 6 7 to 9 10 and above Note: The averages are the average number of legal differentiations per region. Source: Women, Business and the Law database. FIGURE 3.3 AVERAGE NUMBER OF DIFFERENTIATIONS PER INCOME GROUP 8 7 Average number of differentiations 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Low income Lower middle income Upper middle income High income Source: Women, Business and the Law database 14 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Gender differences in the law: Women and the law globally: How relevant are they? Where do we stand? Women globally represent 49.6% of the total population Across the globe, economies tend to cluster their legisla- but only 40.8% of the total workforce in the formal sector. tive choices by region, in part because those economies Legal gender differentiation may play a role in explain- are likely to have a similar history and share some socio- ing part of this difference. Analyzing the count of the 45 cultural norms and values. Economies in high-income differentiations mentioned above shows that greater lack OECD and East Europe and Central Asia do not impose of parity is associated with lower labor force participation many legal restrictions on women. In fact, in these econo- by women (both in absolute terms and relative to men) mies only labor regulations are gender differentiated. And and lower levels of women entrepreneurship (ï¬?gure 3.4). those differentiations which do exist tend to beneï¬?t It is important to note that these statistical relationships women—for example, giving them longer maternity leave. cannot be interpreted as causal. However, there is a realization in some of these economies FIGURE 3.4 WITH GREATER LEGAL DIFFERENTIATION, FEWER WOMEN WORK, OWN OR RUN BUSINESSES 0.4 40 Residual of female labor force participation Residual of ratio female to male labor 0.2 20 0 Main Findings 0 –0.2 –20 –0.4 –40 –10 0 10 20 –10 0 10 20 Residual of the number of legal differentiations Residual of the number of legal differentiations 40 20 Residual of % of firms with female management Residual of % of firms with female ownership 20 10 0 0 –20 –10 –40 –20 –5 0 5 10 15 –5 0 5 10 15 Residual of the number of legal differentiations Residual of the number of legal differentiations Note: The graphs present the partial correlations between the two variables identiï¬?ed after controlling for income per capita. Source: Women, Business and the Law database; World Development Indicators; Enterprise Surveys. Women, Business and the Law 2012 15 that by giving more beneï¬?ts to women, they may make Accessing institutions women more expensive for employers to hire. In part for In examining the legal and business rights of women, it this reason, as well as for demographic concerns, there is important to analyze those rights relative to men. Do is now a movement toward more inclusive beneï¬?ts such women have the same opportunities as men when it as parental leave, where both the mother and the father comes to interacting with the private sector and the public share the child raising responsibilities. In fact, 47 out of authorities, or are they already functioning from a lower 53 economies in these regions offer parental leave, either starting position? paid or unpaid. Only Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Switzerland and Turkey do not. Lack of autonomy in interacting with government insti- Both of these regions are also more likely to give better tutions or conducting ofï¬?cial transactions may limit a access to justice through small claims courts and proce- woman’s access to resources or services and already dures and better access to credit, by having credit bureaus restrict her ability to function well before it comes to and registries with wider coverage; in these two regions, getting a job or starting a business. These restrictions may only Tajikistan does not have a credit bureau or registry keep women from realizing their full potential, because that covers at least 0.1% of the adult population. they make it more difï¬?cult to conduct basic transactions. In Latin America and the Caribbean and in East Asia and Rights of married and unmarried women the Paciï¬?c, explicit legal gender differentiation is uncom- In order to determine whether women and men have the mon in the areas measured in accessing institutions and same capacity to act in and access the business environ- using property; however, they still exist in a few econo- ment, Women, Business and the Law examines a series of 10 mies: Chile, Ecuador, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, the different business related actions that women may have to Philippines and Thailand. Moreover, labor regulations are carry out in order to earn an income2 (ï¬?gure 3.5). Some are unlikely to include beneï¬?ts such as parental leave; among directly related to women’s abilities to function in the busi- the 34 economies covered in these two regions, only ness environment, such as the ability to get a job or pursue Taiwan, China offers parental leave. Institutions such as a profession, and some, like the ability to travel outside the small claims courts and procedures are present in approxi- home or country, are indirectly related. However, each may mately half of the economies covered in these two regions. affect a woman’s ability to function without hindrance in the business environment. For married women, the follow- The Middle East and North Africa, South Asia and ing two additional transactions are considered: can a Sub-Saharan Africa are the three regions where explicit woman confer her citizenship to a non-national spouse in legal gender differentiations are most common, both in the same way as a man? and: are married women required accessing institutions and in using property. All 14 econo- by law to obey their husbands? mies covered in the Middle East and North Africa have at least one legal differentiation both in accessing institutions Ninety-three economies impose no restrictions on a and in using property. In South Asia, only Sri Lanka does woman’s capacity to act. Among the 48 that do impose not have any legal differentiation in both topics. Out of restrictions, none is in high-income OECD or in Eastern 35 economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, only ten (Angola, Europe and Central Asia. Two are in Latin America and the Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia, Mauritius, Namibia, Caribbean, namely, Chile and Honduras, where married South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe) have no legal differ- women cannot be heads of household; three are in East entiation in these topics. Moreover, beneï¬?ts, such as pater- Asia and the Paciï¬?c, and include Indonesia, where married nity leave, designed to share child raising responsibilities women cannot be heads of household; Malaysia, where and free women’s time to work outside the home, are very married and unmarried women cannot confer citizenship rare in these three regions. In fact, none of the economies on their children in the same way as men, and married covered in South Asia offers any paternity leave. women cannot convey citizenship to their husbands; and Thailand where married women cannot convey The following sections provide more insight into the citizenship to their husbands. Twenty-ï¬?ve out of 35 regional trends within each indicator. economies covered in Sub-Saharan Africa impose some of these restrictions on a women’s capacity to act, none of which arise from customary law (box 3.1). Out of the 16 Women, Business and the Law 2012 ï¬?ve economies covered in South Asia, four have restric- differentiates between men and women. Furthermore, tions; only Sri Lanka does not. And all of the economies among those economies with a constitutional non- in the Middle East and North Africa impose at least one discrimination clause making gender a protected category, restriction on married or unmarried women’s capacity to 32 also legally differentiate between men and women. act (ï¬?gure 3.6) Using property Constitutional rights The ability to access, manage and control property—in Ninety-seven economies have a non-discrimination clause short, the ability to use property—is important to individu- covering gender in their Constitutions, and in 132 econo- als everywhere regardless of gender. mies, the Constitution guarantees equality before the law. However, in 47 of the economies with constitutional For this indicator, the Women, Business and the Law data show equality provisions, legislation on accessing institutions that a greater number of restrictions apply to married than FIGURE 3.5 A WOMAN’S QUEST TO GET A JOB OR START A BUSINESS Needed if the Needed to live work entails where the jobs Final goal travel are Needed so Needed for Needed to be Main Findings children can getting a able to work attend public formal job and school and keeping the receive health income services Final goal FIGURE 3.6 REGIONS WHERE WOMEN FACE MORE RESTRICTIONS IN THEIR CAPACITY TO ACT Number of differentiations per economy across the 48 economies that have differentiations 100% 90% 80% Percentage of economies 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% East Asia Latin America Middle East & South Sub-Saharan & Pacific & Caribbean North Africa Asia Africa Number of 14 20 14 5 35 economies Legal Differentiations: 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Source: Women, Business and the Law database. Women, Business and the Law 2012 17 FIGURE 3.7 MOST COMMON RESTRICTION FOR MARRIED WOMEN: NOT BEING ABLE TO BE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD Number of differentiations by type and by region 30 25 Number of economies 20 15 10 5 0 Sign a Open Register Travel Travel Get Apply for Convey Choose Be head of contract a bank a business outside outside the a job passport citizenship where household account the home country to children to live East Asia & Pacific Latin America & Caribbean Middle East & North Africa South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Source: Women, Business and the Law database. BOX 3.1 CONSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT OF CUSTOMARY LAW OR PERSONAL LAW All the answers to the questions covered in Women, Business and the Law (WBL) are based on codiï¬?ed law. However, some of the topics covered in this report may be directly influenced by uncodiï¬?ed customary law or personal law. Given the diversity of custom- ary or personal law within economies, it has not been feasible to systematically include these systems of law as sources within the WBL indicators. However, recognizing the importance of customary and personal law on women’s economic and legal rights, WBL is here presenting for the ï¬?rst time indicators regarding the constitutional treatment of customary law or personal law. These indicators do not directly address gender differentiation in the law, but represent, rather, indications of potential gender differentiation, since customary and personal law may have a greater impact on women than on men. Fifty-two economies recognize customary or personal law as valid sources of law under the constitution. Of these 52 economies, 25 are in Sub-Saharan Africa; eleven are in the Middle East and North Africa; ï¬?ve are in East Asia and the Paciï¬?c; four are in South Asia; ï¬?ve are in Latin America and the Caribbean, two are in high-income OECD economies; and none in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. In addition, 28 economies maintain customary or personal law as valid sources of law, even if they violate other constitutional provisions (such as non-discrimination or equal protection provisions). Of these 28 economies, 16 also include non-discrimination clauses making gender a protected category and guaranteeing equality before the law. These 28 economies are distributed unequally across the globe. Eleven are in the Middle East and North Africa; ten in Sub-Saharan Africa; four in East Asia and the Paciï¬?c (Fiji, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore); two in South Asia (India and Sri Lanka); and one (Israel) in high-income OECD. Eight of the 28 economies that uphold customary or personal law as valid sources of law, even if they violate other constitutional provisions, do not legally differentiate between men and women in areas covered in accessing institutions. Thirteen of these 28 economies do not legally differentiate between men and women regarding using property. Among these economies the existence of legal gender parity may have little value in practice, due to the existence of customary or personal law that can contradict this parity.3 18 Women, Business and the Law 2012 to unmarried women. In fact, none of BOX 3.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF HOW COUPLES ARE MARRIED the economies covered makes any legal distinction between unmarried women For both men and women, property rights within marriage are deï¬?ned by the and unmarried men when it comes to marital property regime under which they marry. Across the economies covered their rights to moveable and immove- in Women, Business and the Law, there are commonly four types of marital prop- able property. erty regimes (ï¬?gure 3.8): Separation of property—the default in 45 economies, by which all property However, in seven economies, married acquired by the spouses before they marry, as well as all property acquired women do not have the same property during the marriage, remain the separate property of the person who bought it. rights as married men. Therefore, for Partial community of property—the default in 68 economies, by which assets both men and women, it is useful to acquired prior to marriage are regarded as the separate property of the person assess property rights in conjunc- who bought them, and assets and income acquired after marriage are regarded tion with marital status (box 3.2). For as joint property of the couple. married couples, the default marital Full community of property—the default in six economies (Burundi, Namibia, property regime—the regime that Netherlands, Philippines, Rwanda and South Africa), by which all assets governs the property relationship of and income brought into the marriage, as well as those acquired during the every married couple within the econ- marriage, become the joint property of the couple. omy unless they speciï¬?cally opt for Deferred full or partial community of property—the default in 16 economies, by an alternative arrangement—deï¬?nes which the rules of partial or full community of property apply at the time of the how each of the spouses can use, buy marriage’s dissolution (at divorce or the death of one of the spouses); prior to this or sell property. Because the marital time separation of property applies. property regime governs a variety of Each marital property regime has clear implications for property rights and the Main Findings transactions for married couples, the management of property within and after marriage. In all six economies with full answers to the questions under this community of property, there is a legal presumption of joint ownership of assets topic are clustered in accordance with during marriage and in practice, joint titling of immovable property. In the econo- the default marital property regime mies with partial community of property, the same occurs. There is no de facto used in each economy. mandatory joint titling in any of the economies as regards separation of property. FIGURE 3.8 MARITAL PROPERTY REGIMES ACROSS THE WORLD SEPTEMBER 2011 Q Deferred full or partial community of property Q Partial community of property IBRD 38828 Q Separation of property Q Other Q Full community of property Q No data Women, Business and the Law 2012 19 All economies in high-income OECD and in Eastern In contrast, other policies can expand women’s work Europe and Central Asia grant equal rights to men and opportunities. For instance, parental leave policies can women with regard to property ownership and inheritance. make possible a more equitable division of childrear- In Latin America and the Caribbean, all economies grant ing responsibility within the family, allowing women the equal rights to inheritance, and in the majority of econo- same opportunities for career advancement as men. mies, married men and married women have equal rights Other examples are laws protecting women’s rights in the to property. The exceptions in this region are Chile and workplace, such as equal-pay-for-equal-work legislation, Ecuador. In Ecuador, married men decide on the adminis- nondiscrimination in hiring practices, and laws against tration of joint marital property in the case of disagreement sexual harassment, all of which accord women the same between the spouses. In Chile, the husband administers rights as men in the workplace. the marital property, except for the earnings and assets the wife generates from her own job, provided that she Women, Business and the Law shows how 141 economies can demonstrate the origin of these earnings. In East Asia have dealt with gender differentiated labor regulations in and the Paciï¬?c, only the Philippines restricts the prop- four major areas: working hours and industry restrictions, erty rights of married women. In Sub-Saharan Africa, four parental beneï¬?ts, retirement and pensions, and legal rights economies do so (Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of in the workplace. Congo, Republic of Congo and Côte d’Ivoire). Working hours and industry restrictions Inheritance rights in 26 economies differentiate between Forty-four economies restrict the working hours of women women and men. This includes all economies covered in and 71 economies limit the industries in which women the Middle East and North Africa, seven in Sub-Saharan may work relative to men. These types of legal differentia- Africa (Burundi, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Sudan tions in labor law are distributed across all income levels and Tanzania), three in South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal and and all regions of the world. Pakistan) and two in East Asia and the Paciï¬?c (Indonesia and Malaysia). Parental beneï¬?ts All economies have paid or unpaid maternity leave or offer Getting a job maternity beneï¬?ts through parental leave. Out of the 141 In all the economies covered in Women, Business and the economies covered in Women, Business and the Law, only Law, there are labor regulations that differentiate between three (Lesotho, Papua New Guinea and the United States) men and women. Some of these differentiations may facil- do not provide paid maternity leave or parental leave. itate women’s workforce participation, while others may Parental beneï¬?ts for the father (either through paternity serve to prevent it. Differences in the ways that men and or parental leave) are far less common than for the mother. women are treated under labor law can affect women’s Only 82 economies offer parental beneï¬?ts for men, and incentives and abilities to get the jobs of their choice. only in 73 of these economies is paternity leave or paren- While some gender based differences in labor law may tal leave for fathers paid. The provision of paternity leave increase women’s opportunities in the workplace, others varies across the world: among high-income OECD econ- can limit them. omies, only Ireland and Switzerland do not provide any type of paternity leave, either paid or unpaid; in contrast, For example, restrictions on which hours women may work of the ï¬?ve South Asian economies covered, none provides or what types of industries they may work in—perhaps paternity beneï¬?ts. originally motivated by a desire to protect women—may result in limiting women’s ability to get the jobs of their Parental leave—where both the mother and the father choosing. Furthermore, some economies give women share the child raising responsibilities—is still a rarity; earlier retirement ages than men, leading to a shorter only 48 economies offer this type of beneï¬?t and in 34 working life, and perhaps negatively affecting women’s of these economies the beneï¬?t is paid. Parental leave is career prospects, lifetime earnings, pension beneï¬?ts and more common among middle to high-income economies. retirement savings. Twenty-eight out of the 30 high-income OECD economies have parental leave and so do 19 out of 23 economies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. No economy in Latin 20 Women, Business and the Law 2012 America and the Caribbean, the Middle East and North 25 years, allowing them to claim a pension at age 50, if Africa, South Asia, or Sub-Saharan Africa grants parental they began working at 25; women can claim beneï¬?ts at 55, leave. In East Asia and the Paciï¬?c only Taiwan, China offers without having to accumulate any work experience. The this beneï¬?t. largest differences between pensionable ages for women and men occur in China, where women can retire 10 years Of equal importance to having the beneï¬?t is the question of earlier than men, and in Islamic Republic of Iran,5 where who pays it. If ï¬?rms must pay for maternity leave, the cost of the difference is 8 years. hiring women of reproductive age will be higher than the cost of hiring men from the employers’ perspective. If, however, As life expectancy increases, many economies are delay- the cost of maternity leave is paid by the government, ï¬?rms ing retirement to a later age through a transition system, would not necessarily face higher costs for hiring women as by which the retirement age increases slightly every year. opposed to men. In approximately 50% of the economies Some economies use this transition period to equalize that provide paid maternity leave, the government pays the retirement ages for men and women. Under such transi- full cost of maternity beneï¬?ts; in 22% this cost is shared tion systems, retirement ages will equalize in the following between the employer and the government; and in 28% the economies in the coming years: Austria by 2033;6 Latvia employer pays the full cost (ï¬?gure 3.9). by 2011; Greece by 2013;7 Estonia by 2016; Slovak Republic by 2014;8 and Turkey by 2048. Other economies currently Retirement and pensions phasing in later retirement ages, with no plans to equal- Fifty-two economies establish a lower retirement age for ize retirement for men and women, include Azerbaijan, women than for men4 but no economy establishes a higher Bulgaria, Colombia, Italy, Israel, Romania, and Serbia. retirement age for women than for men. A similar picture applies for pensionable ages, that is, the age at which indi- Equal rights in the workplace Main Findings viduals can start claiming retirement beneï¬?ts. The only As regards legal rights in the work place, equal-pay-for- exception is Saudi Arabia, where the pensionable age for equal-work laws are the most common provisions, with 128 men is lower than for women by ï¬?ve years. This is due to economies having legislation in place on this topic. A total the fact that in order to claim beneï¬?ts, men must work for of 101 economies have laws on non-discrimination in hiring FIGURE 3.9 WHO PAYS FOR MATERNITY AND PATERNITY LEAVE? Paternity Maternity 100% 90% 80% Percentage of economies 70% South Asia No paid paternity leave available 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% East Asia & Pacific Central Asia Latin America Middle East & Europe & High income: OECD & Caribbean North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa East Asia & Pacific Central Asia Latin America Middle East & Europe & High income: OECD North Africa South Asia Sub-Saharan Africa & Caribbean Employer Employer and government Government Source: Women, Business and the Law database. Women, Business and the Law 2012 21 practices, while only 75 economies have laws protecting United Arab Emirates, and the United States. Only eight employees from sexual harassment in the workplace. economies do not mandate compulsory primary school- ing: Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Islamic Republic of Providing incentives to work Iran, Jamaica, Malawi, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. And of the Women, Business and the Law covers two areas that can ones that do mandate it only three are not required by law potentially affect a woman’s incentive to work in paid to provide it for free: Fiji, Guinea and South Africa. employment: personal income tax regulations and the availability and affordability of childcare. Gender differ- Building credit ences in personal income tax regulations may affect a Since three-quarters of microï¬?nance borrowers are woman’s decision to enter the workforce, especially women,9 it is women who are more likely to beneï¬?t when if working means paying taxes at a disproportionately credit bureaus and registries collect and distribute informa- higher rate. Undoubtedly, the ease, cost, and availability of tion on microï¬?nance loans. Having a record of successful childcare for young children and free public education for repayment allows women to build up their credit histories school-age children can affect positively a mother’s deci- and may help them graduate to larger loans and conven- sion to work outside the home for paid compensation, or tional ï¬?nancing. In addition to including this information, to stay at home with the children. credit bureaus and registries should have low minimum thresholds for the inclusion of loans, so as not to miss out Personal income tax on microï¬?nance loans, which by deï¬?nition are very small. In the vast majority of economies covered in Women, Among middle- and low-income economies, 49 have at Business and the Law, personal income tax laws are gender least one credit bureau or registry which obtains credit neutral. This is true in all but nine economies. Five of information from microï¬?nance institutions. In all of these these economies allow more deductions or tax credits to economies, the minimum loan amount covered is less men: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Lebanon, and than 1% of income per capita, except in Jordan, where Malaysia. In Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia, married men the minimum loan amount exceeds six times the average receive income tax deductions for their wives—whether income per capita. their wives are working or not. However, in order to claim a deduction for her husband, a married woman must prove In 15 of the 20 economies covered in Latin America and that he is her dependant. the Caribbean, credit bureaus and registries include micro- ï¬?nance borrowers. But only six out of 35 economies do the Meanwhile in Israel, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, same in Sub-Saharan Africa. and Spain, there are tax deductions or credits which are available only to women. In Spain, an employed or self- employed woman with children under the age of three is Going to court entitled to a tax-credit of 1,200 euros (1,710 USD) per year Women’s access to justice can be hindered by limits on and per child. In the Republic of Korea, a female head of their legal capacity or gender-differentiated evidentiary household with dependents is entitled to an additional rules that make it more difï¬?cult for them to fully partici- exemption of 500,000 KRW (464 USD) per year. pate in the legal system. Therefore, Women, Business and the Law examines two questions: whether women need Childcare and education permission in order to initiate legal proceedings in a court Only 15 economies consider childcare payments as tax of law, and whether the rules of evidence are different for deductible. Except for Brazil and Kyrgyz Republic, all of men and women. these economies are high-income. Ninety-three econo- Dispute resolution can be expensive and time-consuming mies go beyond the tax regulation and subsidize childcare for women and for men. Small claims courts help expedite prior to the age of primary education. This type of public the resolution of minor disputes of a relatively low value service is more common in higher income economies. Only for both women and men. They do so by setting aside nine out of 39 high-income economies do not provide this many legal formalities and using simpliï¬?ed or fast-track service: Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Oman, Puerto procedures. Simpler processes and more relaxed rules Rico, territory of the United States, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, lower costs for claimants, who may also be able to ï¬?le and 22 Women, Business and the Law 2012 present their own cases before the court. In addition, ï¬?ling 23 economies covered in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. fees are lower and judges issue decisions rapidly. Because The following offer small claims courts or fast-track proce- they have lower costs and faster turn-around times, small dures: half of the economies covered in Latin America and claims courts can provide an easier alternative for resolv- the Caribbean; nine of the 14 economies in Middle East ing simple disputes. and North Africa; eight of the 14 economies in East Asia and the Paciï¬?c; three (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan) of Equal access to the justice system the ï¬?ve in South Asia; and only Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, The vast majority of economies grant equal access to the Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe court system for men and women. However, in 11 econo- out of the 35 economies covered in Sub-Saharan Africa. mies (Islamic Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Women and the law globally: United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, and Republic Where and how is it changing? of Yemen), the testimony of a woman carries less eviden- From June 2009 to March 2011, Women, Business and tiary weight than that of a man. And in one economy the Law recorded 46 changes in regulations that affected (Democratic Republic of Congo), married women need the indicators in 39 economies (table 3.1). Forty-one of the permission of their husbands in order to initiate legal these changes were toward more gender parity, reducing proceedings in court. legal differentiation between men and women. Four were neutral and one actually resulted in less gender parity. Small claims courts Although most economies do not prevent women from Who reformed the most? accessing the court system, many do not provide small Kenya showed the highest number of changes in the claims courts, which would make dispute resolution for Main Findings areas covered by Women, Business and the Law. Kenya minor claims easier. Only 75 economies have small claims reformed in accessing institutions, using property and in courts or fast-track procedures for claims of a smaller going to court. Kenya promulgated a new Constitution value (ï¬?gure 3.10). Twenty-ï¬?ve of the 30 high-income on August 27, 2010. This legal reform eliminated gender OECD economies covered offer this service, as do 12 of the differentiation under the law relating to a woman’s ability FIGURE 3.10 HOW BIG IS A SMALL CLAIM? Sub-Saharan Africa Europe & Central Asia Middle East & North Africa Latin America & Caribbean East Asia & Pacific South Asia High income: OECD 0% 200% 400% 600% 800% 1000% 1200% 1400% Regional average of maximum amount for a small claim (as % of income per capita) Source: Women, Business and the Law database. Women, Business and the Law 2012 23 TABLE 3.1 WOMEN, BUSINESS AND THE LAW REFORMS ACROSS ECONOMIES Changes away Changes neutral Changes towards more gender parity from gender parity to gender parity Accessing institutions Kenya, Tunisia Using property Kenya Getting a job Albania, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Estonia, Greece, Japan, Bolivia Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda and Syrian Arab Rep. Jordan, Norway, and Latvia Building credit Albania, Azerbaijan, Ghana, Jordan, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Syrian Arab Rep., Uganda and Yemen, Rep. Providing incentives None that impacted Women, Business and the Law indicators to work Going to court Belarus, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Honduras, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Puerto Rico (U.S.), Romania, South Africa and Venezuela, RB Source: Women, Business and the Law database. to pass her nationality onto her child or spouse, entitled 2010, allowing women to convey citizenship to their chil- every Kenyan to a passport and all registration or identity dren in the same way as men. documents issued to citizens, and guaranteed freedom of movement into, out of, and within Kenya for all citizens. Only Kenya made legal changes that affected the using Furthermore, customary law in Kenya is no longer exempt property data. However, there were several economies from constitutional provisions on non-discrimination. In that revised their family code over the period from June fact, customary law is now void if it is inconsistent with 2009 to March 2011, without changing the default marital the Constitution. Moreover, the same Constitution grants property regime. For instance, in Bulgaria, through the women equal rights before, during and after the marriage. enactment of a new Family Code, three different marital It also grants equality on women’s inheritance rights for property regimes were instituted. Spouses can now the ï¬?rst time. Kenya also has a new fast-track court proce- choose the property regime through a pre-nuptial agree- dure for small claims. ment or change it after they are already married. Estonia implemented a similar reform, giving spouses the option Three economies made changes in two areas in the direc- of choosing from different marital property regimes. tion of more gender parity: Albania passed a new law “on protection from discriminationâ€? mandating non-discrimi- In getting a job, 19 economies made legal changes that nation in hiring practices on the basis of gender, and its affected the indicators. In addition to the reforms made credit bureau now collects information from microï¬?nance in Albania, Mongolia and Syrian Arab Republic there were institutions. Syrian Arab Republic established a new credit 12 changes towards more gender parity. Peru and Rwanda bureau that also covers information from microï¬?nance introduced paternity leave. Australia introduced parental institutions, increased maternity leave from 60 to 120 days, leave and Japan expanded its parental leave. Greece and increased retirement age for women, equalizing it with approved new laws which are gradually equalizing the that for men. Mongolia passed a new law on gender equal- retirement age of women and men. Belgium eliminated ity in February 2011 that expands nondiscrimination rules industry restrictions for women and changed the payment in hiring and protects employees from sexual harassment for maternity leave. Bulgaria and Poland increased the at the workplace. In addition, the minimum amount for number of days for maternity leave. Chile introduced the inclusion in the credit bureau in Mongolia was eliminated. principle of equal-pay-for-equal-work in the labor code. Estonia passed a new Employment Contracts Act which Changes by topic prohibits the dismissal of pregnant women, guarantees a return to the same position after maternity or paternity Besides Kenya, one more economy reformed in accessing leave, and provides for breaks for breastfeeding mothers. institutions. The Tunisian nationality law was reformed in 24 Women, Business and the Law 2012 The Philippines implemented a similar reform, providing Four economies made changes that are neutral to gender breaks for breastfeeding mothers. parity, but still affected the data. In Azerbaijan, the retire- ment age has been rising by 6 months every year since Eleven economies implemented reforms in the area of January 2010: to age 63 by 2012 for men, and age 60 by building credit. In addition to the new bureau in Syrian 2016 for women. This change is neutral to gender parity, Arab Republic, there are new credit bureaus or registries because it maintains the currently unequal retirement age in Ghana, Moldova, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda. for men and women. Norway introduced a flexible retire- Jordan lowered by one-third the minimum loan amount ment scheme in an already gender neutral system. Jordan covered by its credit bureau, Mauritania cut the minimum increased the minimum pensionable age from 45 to 50 for loan amount for inclusion in the credit bureau by half both men and women, maintaining the gender parity in and Mongolia and the Republic of Yemen eliminated it pensionable ages. Latvia temporarily reduced the percent- altogether. Azerbaijan’s credit bureau now includes infor- age of wages paid during maternity leave in response to the mation from microï¬?nance institutions. global ï¬?nancial crisis. This change is considered neutral to gender parity due to its temporary nature. One economy, Although several economies did change their personal Bolivia, moved towards less gender parity by decreasing income tax legislation over the period considered, none the retirement age, making it different for men and women. reformed in the area of providing incentives to work so as to affect the Women, Business and the Law indicators. Women and the law globally: In going to court, in addition to Kenya, 12 economies made Why does it matter? changes: Belarus, Botswana, Honduras, Italy, Mexico, and Women, Business and the Law data allow for cross-country Romania introduced a small claims court; Brazil, Canada, analysis, highlighting ï¬?ndings that can be explored through New Zealand, Puerto Rico, territory of the United States, Main Findings more in-depth research. A few of these ï¬?ndings relate to South Africa and Venezuela increased the maximum woman as entrepreneurs. Analysis of the Enterprise Survey amount for small claims courts. In Botswana the newly data in conjunction with that of Women, Business and the introduced small claims court is often used by women to Law shows that: collect child maintenance.10 FIGURE 3.11 MORE DIFFERENTIATIONS MEANS MORE CORRUPTION FACED BY WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS 100 Residual of % of female-run firms making informal payments Residual of % of female-run firms making informal payments 60 40 50 20 0 0 –20 –40 –50 –5 0 5 10 15 –5 0 5 10 15 Residual of the number of legal differentiations Residual of the number of legal differentiations Note: The graphs present the partial correlations between the two variables identiï¬?ed after controlling for income per capita. Source: Women, Business and the Law database; Enterprise Surveys. Women, Business and the Law 2012 25 Firms owned and or managed by women in economies provide more historical data that will, hopefully, inform with a higher number of differentiations are more likely and facilitate more in-depth research at the country level. to report having to make informal payments (ï¬?gure 3.11). ENDNOTES In those economies in which women cannot get a job 1 The ï¬?ve topics covered are: accessing institutions, using property, without permission from their husband or guardian, getting a job, providing incentives to work, and going to court. Building credit is the only topic not included, because none of the there are on average fewer women in the workforce indicators in this topic cover explicit legal gender differentiation. than in economies where this restriction does not 2 The actions for unmarried women are: (1) Can an unmarried exist. However, this difference is only signiï¬?cant if woman apply for a passport in the same way as an unmarried the ï¬?rm’s top manager is a man. In female-run ï¬?rms man? (2) Can an unmarried woman travel outside the country in the same way as an unmarried man? (3) Can an unmarried woman these types of legal differentiations seem to have less legally travel outside her home in the same way as an unmarried of an impact in practice (ï¬?gure 3.12) man? (4) Can an unmarried woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as an unmarried man? (5) Can an These are only a few examples of the kinds of measurement unmarried woman sign a contract in the same way as an unmar- that can be carried out using data based on cross-country ried man? (6) Can an unmarried woman register a business in the same way as an unmarried man? (7) Can an unmarried woman analysis. In order to draw conclusions about causal impli- be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as an cations, further analysis at the country level and over time unmarried man? (8) Can an unmarried woman confer citizenship is needed. For instance, in Ethiopia a joint land registration to her children in the same way as an unmarried man? (9) Can an unmarried woman open a bank account in the same way as an program was implemented differently in different regions unmarried man? (10) Can an unmarried woman choose where to of the country. For this reason, it was possible to compare live in the same way as an unmarried man? The same set of 10 regions which had implemented the program with those questions is repeated for married women. that did not within the same country. This program result- 3 For more in-depth discussion on the role of customary and person- ed in a higher increase of women’s names in land titles in al law in Africa see Hallward-Driemeier (2011b). places where it was mandatory than in places where it was 4 This is based on retirement ages for individuals who are currently not.11 In future editions, Women, Business and the Law will 40 years old. FIGURE 3.12 GENDER DISPARITY IN ACCESS TO JOBS AND PROFESSIONS IS MITIGATED BY THE PRESENCE OF FEMALE TOP MANAGERS 60 % of permanent full time employees that are female 50 40 30 20 10 0 Full Sample Top manager is a male Top manager is a female A married woman can get a job or pursue a profession in the same way as a man A married woman cannot get a job or pursue a profession in the same way as a man Note: The ï¬?gure relates the relevant variable for married women only. For unmarried women, there is very little variation in differentiation on getting a job without permission across countries. The result shown is robust to a number of controls, such as income level, ï¬?rm-size and the industry to which a ï¬?rm belongs. The ï¬?gure is based on 57 countries for which data are available. Source: Women, Business and the Law database; Enterprise Surveys. 26 Women, Business and the Law 2012 5 Unequal pensionable ages for men and women is not the only 6 The current retirement age in Austria depends on the year of birth; legal differentiation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. In fact there for people born before 1955, the retirement age is still 65 for men are a total of 22 legal differentiations between men and women: and 60 for women; Women, Business and the Law measures the seven legal differentiations for unmarried women and 15 legal retirement age for a person who is now 40 years old. For someone differentiations for married women. The differentiations for unmar- at that age, the retirement age is already equal for men and women. ried women occur in the following areas: conferring citizenship on 7 The current retirement age in Greece depends on the year of children, having inheritance rights over moveable property, having retirement; for people retiring in 2011, the retirement age is still inheritance rights over immoveable property, working in certain 65 for men and 60 for women; Women, Business and the Law industries, retirement age, pensionable age, having her testimony measures the retirement age for a person who is now 40 years carry the same evidentiary weight in court. For married women: old, For someone at that age the retirement age is already equal applying for a passport, traveling outside the country, traveling for men and women. outside the home, getting a job without permission, being head of household, conferring citizenship on children, choosing where 8 Until 2014, the statutory retirement age for women may be lower to live, conveying citizenship to her non-national husband, having than 60, based on the number of children she raised. inheritance rights over moveable property, having inheritance 9 World Bank (2010b). rights over immoveable property, having inheritance rights over property from her deceased spouse, working in certain industries, 10 http://allafrica.com/stories/200910121334.html retirement age, pensionable age, having her testimony carry the 11 Deininger et al. (2007). same evidentiary weight in court. Main Findings Women, Business and the Law 2012 27 Annex: Women’s economic rights and human rights Women, Business and the Law (WBL) focuses on how men speciï¬?cally devoted to women’s economic and social and women are treated differently under the law in ways rights, although other areas are covered as well. that may affect women’s incentives to work and their opportunities to do so. By examining the law and how it Some key areas of overlap affects women’s ability to get jobs and start businesses, There are numerous points of overlap between the WBL Women, Business and the Law aims to facilitate research indicators and women’s human rights under CEDAW. on the linkages between legal gender differentiation and Many of these intersections occur in two domains: the outcomes for women. This research may be used to inform legal capacity of women to conduct transactions in areas policy dialogue on what governments can do to expand that affect their business and employment activities, and economic opportunities for women. the equal legal treatment of women within these business The WBL agenda overlaps signiï¬?cantly with human and employment activities. rights work on gender equality, particularly in the area Table 4.1 maps out the major areas of correspondence of women’s economic and social rights. Thus, examining between the indicators and women’s rights under CEDAW. the project from a human rights perspective provides new As the table suggests, even though the indicators included insights on the relationship between legal gender equality in the WBL dataset are not speciï¬?cally designed to illus- and economic opportunities and outcomes for women. trate human rights information, each corresponds to one or more of the rights contained within CEDAW. In fact, a Equal rights of women under human rights law detailed examination of the various types of human rights As mentioned earlier (see Box 2.1), equality is a central indicators used to track the compliance of states with tenet of international human rights law. The Universal CEDAW reveals a close ï¬?t between many of those indica- Declaration of Human Rights begins by emphasizing that tors and the questions used in the WBL questionnaires. “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and However, it is important to note that CEDAW covers many inalienable rights of all members of the human family is areas beyond what is measured in Women, Business and the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.â€? the Law. Article 1 of the Universal Declaration proclaims all human beings to be “born free and equal in dignity and rights,â€? In addition to these areas of topical overlap, the motiva- while Articles 2 and 7 lay the groundwork for speciï¬?c legal tions and goals of the WBL project resonate with those protections concerning equality and non-discrimination. of the international human rights regime. Both research All of the major human rights instruments since the agendas seek to support the expansion of women’s Universal Declaration have reiterated this fundamental economic opportunities and choices in ways that improve commitment to equality. women’s welfare and raise their quality of life. Beyond the general commitment to equality, the inter- Some important divergences national community has expanded on the particular However, Women, Business and the Law diverges from a commitment to women’s equality through the Convention human rights approach in important respects, the most on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against obvious being the extent of coverage: Women, Business Women (CEDAW).1 With 187 current States Parties, and the Law focuses on women’s economic empowerment CEDAW has been ratiï¬?ed almost universally and serves by shedding light on a very narrow set of issues. The WBL as the most important international instrument protecting approach examines domestic legal rules and regulations women’s human rights.2 Forty-two States Parties, however, directly impeding women’s ability to start businesses and have imposed reservations to at least one of the CEDAW navigate the work force. A more human rights oriented provisions.3 A substantial portion of the Convention is approach, by contrast, would investigate the rights and opportunities of women across all areas—including 28 Women, Business and the Law 2012 TABLE 4.1 WOMEN, BUSINESS AND THE LAW TOPICS AND CORRESPONDING HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER CEDAW Women, Business and the Law category Principal corresponding human rights of women (CEDAW) Accessing institutions Freedom from discrimination on the basis of sex (Art. 2) Equality before the law and legal capacity identical to that of men (Art. 15) Equality in all areas of economic and social life (Art. 13) Equality in all matters relating to marriage and family relations (Art. 16) Equal rights with respect to nationality (Art. 9) Using property Equal rights to administer property (Art 15.1) Equal rights in all matters relating to marriage and family relations (Art 16.1), including same rights for both spouses in respect to ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property (Art 16.1h) Getting a job Freedom from discrimination in the ï¬?eld of employment (Art. 11), including: Right to work (Art. 11.1a) Same employment opportunities (Art. 11.1b) Free choice of profession and employment (Art 11.1c) Equal-pay-for-equal-work (Art. 11.1d) Equal social security, retirement, leave, and other paid beneï¬?ts (Art. 11.1e) Freedom from discrimination on grounds of marriage or maternity (Art. 11.2) Special protection during pregnancy (Art. 11.3) Providing incentives to Freedom from discrimination and equality in economic life (Art. 13) work Right to education (Art. 10) Equality in all matters relating to marriage and family relations (Art. 16) Building credit Access to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of ï¬?nancial credit on equal basis with men (Art. 13b) Access to agricultural credit and loans for rural women (Art. 14(2)g) Going to court Equality in all stages of procedure in courts and tribunals (Art. 15.2) Legal protection of rights of women and effective protection of women against any act of discrimination through competent national tribunals (Art. 2c) Exercise and enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms on basis of equality with men (Art. 3) women’s civil, political, economic, social and cultural challenge for data collection. Moreover, while the attempt Annex rights—recognizing that an impediment to women’s rights to go beyond de jure indicators by measuring the de facto in any one of these areas may have a signiï¬?cant impact situation for women would provide greater in-depth coun- on women’s economic achievements, whether directly or try information, it would also lead to more subjectivity, as indirectly. For example, one important area not analyzed such measures may not only lack cross-country compara- in Women, Business and the Law is law that prevents and bility, but would be more difï¬?cult to verify. New questions penalizes violence against women. in this year’s WBL examining the role played by customary law—which may restrict women’s exercise of their legal A second area of divergence arises out of the WBL focus on rights within each economy’s domestic legal framework— the de jure, that is, legal treatment of women, as opposed may, in fact, shed light on the de jure versus de facto gap to their de facto experiences. A human rights-based in women’s economic opportunities. approach would examine not only opportunities, but also outcomes. However, providing consistent indicators for The 2010 Women, Business and the Law pilot report explic- 141 economies across the world presents a signiï¬?cant itly acknowledged many of its initial methodological Women, Business and the Law 2012 29 shortcomings, and the updated work program has begun could be drawn from other datasets to avoid duplicating to address them through the inclusion of several new indi- work already done, and to minimize the cost of obtaining cators in the dataset. For example, topical coverage has information. been expanded by adding new survey questions concern- ing equal-pay-for-equal-work, government provision of Better data through better partnerships basic education and childcare services, and laws and poli- Human rights researchers often attempt to minimize the cies affecting the rights of working mothers. practical impediments of high-quality data collection and research by using cooperative strategies. For example, Insights from human rights approaches research partnerships between international and domes- tic NGOs can provide the international partner with much These additions constitute steps in the right direction. needed local expertise and the domestic partner with Moreover, certain insights from human rights approaches, much needed access to capital. Likewise, formal or infor- such as, the “structure-process-outcome frameworkâ€? and mal cooperation agreements between inter-governmental working through partnerships, may prove useful in inform- organizations having overlapping or complementary ing the Women, Business and the Law project going forward. expertise can enable both organizations to economize on research costs. The structure-process-outcome framework Indicators can be classiï¬?ed along three axes: structure, Women, Business and the Law can learn from these experi- process and outcome, as follows: ences as its research agenda overlaps with other efforts on women’s economic rights, opportunities and outcomes. Structural indicators measure the state of the law By forging cooperative and mutually beneï¬?cial relation- within a given economy in relation to a speciï¬?c right. ships with key players, WBL could potentially broaden and An example would be the existence of an equal-pay- deepen its data collection efforts, improve its understand- for-equal-work provision under the law. ing of tangential areas affecting women entrepreneurs and Process indicators capture the existence and robust- workers, multiply the dissemination of its key ï¬?ndings, and ness of policy instruments designed to support the enhance its relevance for policy debates at the domestic, implementation of that right. An example would be regional, and international level. As a step in this direction, the existence of an agency or a court system that the WBL project has already begun to engage local and would enforce the equal-pay-for-equal-work provi- international civil society organizations in various parts sion mentioned above. of the world with a view to building partnerships. It has Outcome indicators measure an economy’s tangible also begun to interact with other inter-governmental and progress in realizing a particular right. When national organizations, such as various UN agencies and compared to the benchmark of full realization of the development partners. right, outcome indicators reveal how much further an Targets for current and future strategic partnerships economy must progress in order to meet the end goal. include: An example would be a measure of de facto equality in pay between men and women. Other inter-governmental organizations whose mandates touch upon women’s rights and/or the Currently, Women, Business and the Law does not make full rights of workers; obvious candidates include relevant use of these three indicators. Of the questions included groups within UN Women (the United Nations in the dataset, roughly 65% are structural indicators. The Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of remaining 35% are process indicators. None are outcome Women), the United Nations Development Program, indicators, because the focus of WBL is on actionable the International Labour Organization, and the Ofï¬?ce policy indicators. However, incorporating the human of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; rights methodology of structure-process-outcome in a Civil society organizations, labor unions and indus- systematic fashion in the analysis across all of the major try groups: hundreds of such organizations exist, topic areas in the WBL could enhance the program’s and while Women, Business and the Law is already contribution to the advancement of women’s economic taking advantage of their existing expertise at the empowerment. Where available, the outcome variables 30 Women, Business and the Law 2012 international, regional and local level, this work can ENDNOTES continue to expand; 1 The text of the Convention, which was adopted in 1979, may be accessed at: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/states. National governmental bodies: national statistical htm agencies, human rights commissions, law reform 2 Ratiï¬?cation information is available through the United Nations commissions, commissions on gender equality, equal Treaty Collection website: http://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails. opportunity employment commissions, and other aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=IV-8&chapter=4&lang=en bodies having responsibilities for tracking women’s 3 Twenty-two States Parties have entered reservations to CEDAW provisions on the grounds that they are incompatible with laws rights outcomes and/or implementing policies and based on ethnic or religious identity. Seventeen State parties have programs designed to promote women’s rights can entered reservations to Article 2, according to which States Parties often contribute expertise, resources and data; commit to condemning discrimination against women in all its forms. Seven have done so for Article 11 on equality in employment; Academic research initiatives and institutes: these can 20 for Article 9 on equal nationality and citizenship rights; eight, furnish new theoretical insights and help ï¬?ll gaps in for Article 15(4) on equal right to choose residence; 30 for article 16 on equal rights in marriage and family; and 19 have formally the collection and dissemination of relevant data. expressed concerns with other provisions of the Convention. Women, Business and the Law has already begun to build partnerships with some of these target organizations. For example, WBL data are currently being disseminated through UN Women in its newly released report entitled 2011–2012 Progress of the World’s Women: In Pursuit of Justice. This effort to build partnerships should continue to expand in order to optimize data collection and dissemination. Annex Women, Business and the Law 2012 31 References Adams, Scott J. 2002. “Passed Over for Promotion Cull, Robert and Lixin Colin Xu. 2005. “Institutions, Because of Age: An Empirical Analysis of the Ownership, and Finance: The Determinants Consequences.â€? Journal of Labor Research 23 (3): of Proï¬?t Reinvestment among Chinese Firms.â€? 447–61. Journal of Financial Economics 77 (1): 117–46. Alesina, Alberto F., Francesca Lotti and Paolo Emilio Deere, Carmen Diana and Magdalena León. 2001. Mistrulli. 2008. “Do Women Pay More for Empowering Women: Land and Property Rights Credit? Evidence from Italy.â€? Discussion Paper in Latin America. Pittsburgh, PN. University of 2159. Harvard Institute of Economic Research. Pittsburgh. Cambridge, MA. http://www.ssrn.com/ ———. 2003. “The Gender Asset Gap: Land in Latin abstract=1185502. America.â€? World Development 31 (6): 925–47. 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NBER Old Age Pension and Intra-Household Allocation Working Paper 14747. National Bureau of in South Africa.â€? The World Bank Economic Review Economic Research. Cambridge, MA. 17 (1): 1–25. Averett, Susan L., H. Elizabeth Peters and Donald M. Economist Intelligence Unit. 2010. “Women’s economic Waldman. 1997. “Tax Credits, Labor Supply, and opportunity.â€? New York, NY. http://www.eiu.com/ Child Care.â€? Review of Economics and Statistics 79 site_info.asp?info_name=womens_economic_ (1): 125–135. opportunity&page=noads&rf=0 Banerjee, Abhijit, Esther Duflo, Rachel Glennerster Eissa, Nada. 1995. “Taxation and Labor Supply of Married and Cynthia Kinnan. 2010. “The Miracle of Women: The Tax Reform Act of 1986 as a Microï¬?nance? Evidence from a Randomized Natural Experiment.â€? NBER Working Paper Evaluation.â€? BREAD Working Paper 278. 5023. National Bureau of Economic Research. Durham, NC. Cambridge, MA. Baker, Michael, Jonathan Gruber and Kevin Milligan. 2008. Eissa, Nada and Hillary Williamson Hoynes. 2004. “Taxes “Universal Child Care, Maternal Labor Supply, and and the Labor Market Participation of Married Family Well-Being.â€? Journal of Political Economy Couples: The Earned Income Tax Credit.â€? Journal 116 (4): 709–45. of Public Economics 88: 1931–58. Coleman, Susan. 2000. “Access to Capital and Terms Eissa, Nada, Henrik Jacobsen Kleven and Claus Thustrup of Credit: A Comparison of Men and Women Kreiner. 2008. “Evaluation of four tax reforms Owned Small Businesses.â€? Journal of Small in the United States: Labor supply and welfare Business Management 38 (3): 37–52. effects for single mothers.â€? Journal of Public Coleman, Susan and Mary Carsky. 1996. “Understanding Economics 92 (3–4): 795–816. the Market of Women-Owned Small Businesses.â€? Journal of Retail Banking Services 18 (2): 47–9. 32 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Friedemann-Sánchez, Greta. 2008. “Ensamblar Flores y Orser, B., S. Hogarth-Scott and A. L. Riding. 2000. Cultivar Hogares: Trabajo y Género en Colombia.â€? “Performance, Firm Size and Management Bogotá: Instituto Colombiano de Antropología e Problem Solving.â€? Journal of Small Business Historia. Management 38 (4): 42–58. Gloppen, Siri, and Fidelis Edge Kanyongolo. 2007. “Courts Robb, Alicia, and Susan Coleman. 2008. “The Impact of and the Poor in Malawi: Economic Marginalization, Financial Capital on Business Performance: A Vulnerability and the Law.â€? International Journal of Comparison of Women- and Men-Owned Firms.â€? Constitutional Law 5 (2): 258–93. Kauffman Foundation. Kansas City, MO. http:// Hallward-Driemeier, Mary. 2011a. “Expanding www.ssrn.com/abstract=1400742. Opportunities for Women in Sub-Saharan Africa.â€? Sabarwal, Shwetlena and Katherine Terrell. 2008. “Does World Bank. Washington, D.C. Gender Matter for Firm Performance? Evidence ———. 2011b. “Improving Africa’s Legal Investment Climate from Eastern Europe and Central Asia.â€? Policy for Women.â€? World Bank. Washington, D.C. Research Working Paper 4705. World Bank. Washington, D.C. Johnson, Simon, John McMillan and Christopher Woodruff. 2002. “Property Rights and Finance.â€? American United Nations. 2007. “Gender Info 2007.â€? New York, NY. Economic Review 92 (5): 1335–56. http://www.unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/ products/genderinfo/ Karlan, Dean and Jonathan Zinman. 2010. “Expanding Microenterprise Credit Access: Using UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). 2004. Randomized Supply Decisions to Estimate the “Access to Justice.â€? Practice Note 9/3/2004. Impacts in Manila.â€? Mimeo. Yale University. New York, NY. http://www.undp.org/gover- New Haven, CT. nance/docs/Justice_PN_English.pdf. Levine, Phillip B., Olivia S. Mitchell and John W. Phillips. UN Women (United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and 1999. “Worklife Determinants of Retirement the Empowerment of Women). 2011. “Progress Income Differentials Between Men and Women.â€? of the World’s Women 2011–2012: In Pursuit of NBER Working Paper No. W7243. National Justice.â€? New York, NY. http://progress.unwomen. Bureau of Economic Research. Cambridge, MA. org/pdfs/EN-Report-Progress.pdf Mammen, Kristin and Christina Paxson. 2000. “Women’s World Economic Forum. 2010. Global Gender Gap 2010. Work and Economic Development.â€? Journal of Geneva. Economic Perspectives 14 (4): 141–64. World Bank. 2010a. Doing Business 2011: Making a difference de Mel, Suresh, David McKenzie, and Christopher for entrepreneurs. World Bank. Washington, D.C. Woodruff. 2008. “Returns to Capital: Results ———. 2010b. “Women, Business and the Law 2010.â€? from a Randomized Experiment.â€? Quarterly World Bank. Washington, D.C. Journal of Economics 123(4): 1329–72. ———. 2010c. World Development Indicators 2010. World ———. 2009. “Are Women More Credit Constrained? Bank. Washington, D.C. Experimental Evidence on Gender and World Learning STAR Network. 2004. “For More Women Microenterprise Returns.â€? American Economic in Entrepreneurship: Analysis of Survey Results Journal: Applied Economics 1 (3): 1–32. of Women Entrepreneurs in BH.â€? Brattleboro, VT. Muravyev, Alexander, Oleksandr Talavera and Dorothea Zveglich, Joseph E., and Yana van der Meulen Rodgers. Schäfer. 2009. “Entrepreneurs’ Gender 2003. “The Impact of Protective Measures for and Financial Constraints: Evidence from Female Workers.â€? Journal of Labor Economics 21 International Data.â€? Journal of Comparative (3): 533–56. Economics 37: 270–86. OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development). 2009. “The OECD Social Institutions and Gender Index.â€? Paris. http:// w w w . o e c d . o r g /d o c u m e n t / 3 9/ 0 , 3 3 4 3 , References en_2649_33935_42274663_1_1_1_1,00.html. Women, Business and the Law 2012 33 Data Notes Women, Business and the Law examines laws and regula- The report builds on the experience of the Doing Business tions that affect women’s ability to earn an income, project in developing objective indicators of impediments either by starting and running their own businesses or by to entrepreneurship and employment for women. Doing getting jobs. When it comes to women’s rights, different Business analyzes regulations that apply to a business economies reflect different cultural norms and values in throughout its life cycle, including start-up and opera- their legislation. This report does not seek to judge or rank tions, trading across borders, paying taxes and resolving countries, but to provide objective data to inform dialogue insolvency across 183 economies. As in the Doing Business and research women’s economic rights. project, Women, Business and the Law strongly emphasizes written law. Covering 141 economies, Women, Business and the Law provides easily comparable data across the following six At the inception of the Women, Business and the Law areas: project, the Gender Law Library was created to provide Accessing institutions—explores women’s legal abil- a public repository of laws and regulations affecting ity to interact with public authorities and the private women’s economic opportunities. The set of six indicators sector in the same way as men; was created by examining the information in the library to see which laws most affect women’s business rights. Using property—analyzes women’s ability to access Legislation across the legal spectrum was found to affect and use property based on their ability to own, women’s economic potential, either directly or indirectly. manage, control and inherit it; The indicators capture laws that directly differentiate Getting a job—assesses restrictions on women’s between men and women, as well as laws that indirectly work, such as prohibitions on working at night or in have a greater impact on women, given the likelihood that certain industries. This indicator also covers laws on they are secondary income earners, microï¬?nance clients work-related maternity and paternity beneï¬?ts, retire- and small business owners. ment ages, sexual harassment and equal pay for equal work; To condense such a large volume of disparate information, broadly based legal questions were posed to local legal Providing incentives to work—examines personal experts to determine in what areas women and men have income tax credits and deductions available to the same or different rights. In addition to survey data from women relative to men, and the provision of childcare local legal experts, the WBL project also consulted consti- and education services; tutions, gender equality laws, marriage and family codes, Building credit—identiï¬?es minimum loan thresholds personal status codes, labor laws, passport procedures, in private credit bureaus and public credit registries, citizenship rules, inheritance statutes, codes of civil proce- and tracks bureaus and registries that collect informa- dures, education acts, tax regulations and social security tion from microï¬?nance institutions; codes to determine the sources of gender differentiation in the law. Responses from Doing Business 2012 surveys on Going to court—considers the ease and affordability getting credit, enforcing contracts, and employing workers of accessing justice by examining small claims courts, were also used. The data from the surveys were checked as well as a woman’s ability to testify in court and for accuracy by referencing primary legal sources, result- initiate court proceedings. ing in revision or expansion of the information collected. In ï¬?ve of the six topics, there were changes in methodology, The Women, Business and the Law methodology offers both in the number of questions covered and in the way several advantages: previously existing questions were analyzed; the principal methodological changes are footnoted throughout the text It is transparent and uses factual information derived and summarized at the end of this chapter. directly from laws and regulations; 34 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes Because standard assumptions are used when Where the answer differs according to the legal collecting data for the six areas covered, comparisons system applicable to the woman in question (as may are valid across economies; be the case in economies where legal plurality exists), The data identify both potential obstacles to women in the answer used will be the one applicable to the business and legislative sources that can be changed majority of the population.2 as a result of this new information. The answers to the questions below are based on codi- The report’s focus on written legislation does not disregard ï¬?ed law and regulations, and not the implementation or the often large gap between laws on the books and actual practice of that law. Therefore, customary law is not taken practices, recognizing that women do not always have into account, unless that customary law has been codiï¬?ed. access to the equality they are entitled to by law; however, Exceptions to this rule are common law or religious codes data on formal legal differentiation represent a ï¬?rst step to where decisions of such common or religious courts or identifying potential challenges for women in the six areas schools of jurisprudence have legal standing equivalent studied. to that of codiï¬?ed law. Reciprocal restrictions that govern the conduct of both spouses are not covered; therefore, The report team welcomes feedback on the methodology this indicator only measures restrictions that govern the and construction of this set of indicators and looks forward conduct of the wife, but not the husband. to improving both its coverage and scope. Feedback and contributions to the Gender Law Library are also appreci- Rights of married and unmarried women ated. All the data and their sources, as well as the ques- This sub-topic addresses whether a woman can engage in tionnaires used to collect the data are publicly available at: a set of legal transactions in the same way as a man. It http://wbl.worldbank.org also addresses whether there are differences due to the marital status of the woman. Married and unmarried men The following 91 questions1 were asked about the six main and women may not be able do things in the same way, topics across 141 economies producing a total of 12,831 as when, for instance, women require permission or an data points. Each question is followed by information on additional signature in order to complete a certain transac- how the answers were standardized and made compa- tion, or when they must provide additional documentation rable across all economies. Assumptions, where used, are not required of men, such as a marriage license or proof of also listed. name change. Differences related to property transactions are taken into account in the using property topic only. Accessing institutions Accessing institutions does not count this type of differ- ence.3 Furthermore differences that arise from tax law are Assumptions about the woman no longer included in accessing institutions. 4 Resides in the main business city of the economy being examined; This sub-topic includes 20 different questions across 10 Has reached the legal age of majority; if there is no transactions, including transactions that are legal in nature legal age of majority, the woman is assumed to be 30 and those that relate to women’s freedom of movement. years old; In the data tables, the 20 questions for accessing institu- Is sane, competent, in good health, and has no crimi- tions are condensed into 10 questions with two possible nal record; answers each, one for married and one for unmarried Is a lawful citizen of the economy being examined; women. The questions are as follows: Where the question assumes the woman (or man) is 1a. Can an unmarried woman apply for a passport in the married, the marriage is monogamous and registered same way as an unmarried man? with the authorities; The answer is “Yesâ€? if, upon reaching the legal age of Where the question assumes the woman (or man) is majority, all civil acts may be completed and there unmarried, she (or he) has never been married; are no differences in the way an unmarried woman or man may get a passport; Women, Business and the Law 2012 35 The answer is “Noâ€? if an adult unmarried woman country; however, this permission must be separate needs the permission or signature of a guardian to from that required to get a passport, a topic covered apply for a passport; in a separate question. 1b. Can a married woman apply for a passport in the same 3a. Can an unmarried woman legally travel outside her way as a married man? home in the same way as an unmarried man? The answer is “Yesâ€? if upon reaching the legal age of The answer is “Yesâ€? if no restrictions exist on unmar- majority, all civil acts may be completed and there are ried women traveling alone domestically; the answer no differences in the way that a married woman or is also “Yesâ€? if the Constitution guarantees domestic man may get a passport; freedom of movement and no restrictions exist on The answer is “Noâ€? if an adult married woman needs unmarried women; the permission or signature of her husband in order The answer is “Noâ€? if permission, additional docu- to apply for a passport; the answer is also “Noâ€? if any mentation, or the presence of a guardian is required additional documentation is required of a married in order to travel domestically. woman that is not required of a married man; e.g., if proof of name change or a marital certiï¬?cate is 3b. Can a married woman legally travel outside her home required speciï¬?cally for married women but not for in the same way as a married man? married men or if married women must indicate any The answer is “Yesâ€? if there are no restrictions on information relating to their husband on their pass- married women traveling alone domestically; the port forms, but husbands are not required to provide answer is also “Yesâ€? if the Constitution establishes information on their spouses. the right to domestic freedom of movement, or if men and women have the same rights inside of marriage, 2a. Can an unmarried woman travel outside the country in and no restrictions exist on married women’s domes- the same way as an unmarried man? tic travel; The answer is “Yesâ€? if no restrictions exist on unmar- The answer is “Noâ€? if permission, additional docu- ried women traveling alone internationally; the answer mentation, or the presence of a guardian is required is also “Yesâ€? if the Constitution guarantees freedom of in order for a married woman to travel domestically. movement or the right to leave and reenter the coun- try and no restrictions exist on unmarried women 4a. Can an unmarried woman get a job or pursue a trade or traveling internationally; profession in the same way as an unmarried man? The answer is “Noâ€? if permission or additional The answer is “Yesâ€? if no permission is needed for documentation is required for unmarried women to an unmarried woman to get a job or practice a trade leave the country; however, this permission must be or profession; the answer is also “Yesâ€? if there is a separate from that required to get a passport, a topic nondiscrimination or equality provision in the consti- covered in a separate question. tution or gender equality act and no restriction in the family or civil law regarding an unmarried woman’s 2b. Can a married woman travel outside the country in the ability to work; same way as a married man? The answer is “Noâ€? if permission or additional docu- The answer is “Yesâ€? if no restrictions exist on married mentation is required, or if a guardian can stop an women traveling alone internationally; the answer is unmarried woman from working. also “Yesâ€? if the Constitution guarantees freedom of movement or the right to leave and reenter the coun- 4b. Can a married woman get a job or pursue a trade or try, or if men and women have the same rights inside profession in the same way as a married man? of marriage, and no restrictions exist on married The answer is “Yesâ€? if no permission is needed for women traveling internationally; a married woman to get a job or practice a trade or The answer is “Noâ€? if permission or additional docu- profession; the answer is also “Yesâ€? if there is a nondis- mentation is required for married women to leave the crimination or equality provision in the constitution or 36 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes gender equality act and no restriction in family or civil 6b. Can a married woman register a business in the same law regarding a married woman’s ability to work; the way as a married man? answer is also “Yesâ€? if married women and married The answer is “Yesâ€? if full legal capacity is obtained men have the same rights in marriage and there is upon the age of majority and there are no restrictions no restriction in the family or civil law regarding a on married women registering a business; married woman’s ability to work; The answer is “Noâ€? if married women have limited The answer is “Noâ€? if husbands can prevent their wives legal capacity to register a business; e.g., this would from getting or keeping jobs or from pursuing a trade include if they may not legally bind themselves with or profession; the answer is also “Noâ€? if permission a legal document; the answer is also “Noâ€? if married or additional documentation is required for married women need the permission, signature, or consent women to get a job or if a married man can go to court of their husbands to register a business; the answer to get his wife’s employer to ï¬?re her from her job or to this question is based on family law; restrictions profession. that are established outside family law may not be 5a. Can an unmarried woman sign a contract in the same included in this question. way as an unmarried man? 7a. Can an unmarried woman be “head of householdâ€? or The answer is “Yesâ€? if full legal capacity is obtained “head of familyâ€? in the same way as an unmarried man? upon the age of majority and there are no restric- The answer is “Yesâ€? if there are no explicit restrictions tions on unmarried women signing legally binding on unmarried women becoming “head of householdâ€? contracts; or “head of familyâ€? and the constitution recognizes The answer is “Noâ€? if unmarried women have limited gender equality or nondiscrimination; the answer is legal capacity to sign a legally binding contract. also “Yesâ€? if there is no indication that “head of house- holdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? is a legal designation in the 5b. Can a married woman sign a contract in the same way economy, and where the constitution recognizes as a married man? gender equality or nondiscrimination; The answer is “Yesâ€? if full legal capacity is obtained The answer is “Noâ€? if there is an explicit restriction on upon the age of majority and there are no restrictions unmarried women becoming “head of householdâ€? or on married women signing legally binding contracts; “head of family;â€? e.g., a provision stating that only men The answer is “Noâ€? if married women have limited can be “head of householdâ€? or “head of family,â€? or that legal capacity to enter into contracts or if they need the men “lead the family.â€? signature, consent, or permission of their husbands in order to legally bind themselves; this question does 7b. Can a married woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head not concern restrictions on married women sign- of familyâ€? in the same way as a married man? ing contracts speciï¬?cally related to marital property The answer is “Yesâ€? if there are no explicit restrictions governed under the default marital property regime; on married women becoming “head of householdâ€? these are covered under the Using Property indicator. or “head of familyâ€? and the Constitution recognizes gender equality or nondiscrimination; the answer is 6a. Can an unmarried woman register a business in the also “Yesâ€? if there is no indication that “head of house- same way as an unmarried man? holdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? is a legal designation in the The answer is “Yesâ€? if full legal capacity is obtained economy, where the constitution recognizes gender upon the age of majority and there are no restrictions equality or nondiscrimination, or where family law on unmarried women registering businesses; recognizes equality among spouses within marriage; The answer is “Noâ€? if unmarried women have limited The answer is “Noâ€? if there is an explicit restriction legal capacity to register a business; e.g., this would on married women becoming “head of householdâ€? include situations in which they may not legally bind or “head of family;â€? e.g., a provision stating that only themselves with a legal document. husbands can be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? or that husbands “lead the family.â€? Women, Business and the Law 2012 37 8a. Can an unmarried woman confer citizenship on her 10a. Can an unmarried woman choose where to live in the children in the same way as an unmarried man? same way as an unmarried man? The answer is “Yesâ€? if both mothers and fathers can The answer is “Yesâ€? if there are no restrictions on convey citizenship to the child, regardless of where unmarried women choosing where to live; also “Yesâ€? if the child is born; the answer is also “Yesâ€? if there are there is a general constitutional provision stating that additional procedures that must be completed by men every person has the right to determine his or her own but not by women (e.g., providing proof of paternity); place of residence and where there are no restrictions The answer is “Noâ€? if only fathers can convey citizen- on unmarried women choosing where to live; ship to the child, wherever that child may be born. The answer is “Noâ€? if explicit restrictions exist on unmarried women choosing their place of residence. 8b. Can a married woman confer citizenship on her chil- dren in the same way as a married man? 10b. Can a married woman choose where to live in the The answer is “Yesâ€? if married mothers and married same way as a married man? fathers may both convey citizenship to their chil- The answer is “Yesâ€? if no explicit restrictions exist on dren, wherever the child is born; the answer is also a married woman choosing where her family may live; “Yesâ€? if there are additional procedures that must be the answer is also “Yesâ€? if there is a general constitu- completed by men but not by women (e.g., providing tional provision stating that every person has the right proof of paternity); to determine his or her own place of residence, or if The answer is “Noâ€? if only married fathers can convey the family law states that spouses jointly chose the citizenship to the child, wherever that child may be marital residence; born. The answer is “Noâ€? if an explicit legal provision grants the husband the authority to choose the family resi- 9a. Can an unmarried woman open a bank account in the dence, or grants the husband’s preference additional same way as an unmarried man? weight in determining where the family shall live. The answer is “Yesâ€? if there are no restrictions on unmarried women opening bank accounts; The data on the number of inequalities in accessing institu- tions for unmarried women represent the count of the total The answer is “Noâ€? if there are speciï¬?c provisions number of “Noâ€? answers to the 10 questions applicable to limiting the ability of unmarried women to open bank unmarried women. accounts; only provisions from the body of family laws are systematically counted; provisions that may exist The data on the number of inequalities in accessing institu- in other types of law, such as banking regulations, are tions for married women represent the count of the total not systematically included here. number of “Noâ€? answers to the 10 questions applicable to married women. 9b. Can a married woman open a bank account in the same way as a married man? Division of responsibility within marriage The answer is “Yesâ€? if there are no restrictions on This sub-topic addresses potential legal inequalities that married women opening bank accounts; the answer are only applicable to married women. It includes three is also “Yesâ€? if explicit provisions exist stating that questions as follows: married women may open bank accounts, or that both spouses may open bank accounts in their own 11. Can a woman confer her citizenship to a non-national names; spouse in the same way as a man? The answer is “Noâ€? if there are speciï¬?c provisions This question compares the ability of an adult married limiting the ability of married women to open bank woman to legally convey her citizenship to her non- accounts; provisions that may exist in other types of national husband with the ability of an adult married law, such as banking regulations, are not systemati- man to do the same for his non-national wife; the cally included here. answer is “Yesâ€? if marriage to a national male or 38 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes female confers some preference in naturalization to The answer is “Noâ€? if there is no nondiscrimination the non-national spouse; provision, or if there is a nondiscrimination provision The answer is “Noâ€? if a national husband can convey that does not include gender or sex as a protected citizenship to his non-national wife, but a national category. wife may not do so for her non-national husband; 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the the answer is also “Noâ€? if the ability to convey citi- law? zenship to a spouse is procedurally differentiated by gender; e.g., a woman married to a national gets auto- The answer is “Yesâ€? if there is an equal protection matic citizenship rights upon her marriage, but a man provision, or a general equality provision in the consti- married to a national must wait a speciï¬?c number of tution, and where the provision is generally applicable years to become a citizen; to “all citizensâ€? and does not specify women as a protected category; The answer is N/A if neither spouse may convey citi- zenship to the other; e.g., citizenship must be obtained The answer is “Noâ€? if there is no equal protection provi- through the general naturalization procedures with sion or general equality provision in the constitution. no preference of any sort given to the spouse of a 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of national. law under the constitution? 12. Are married women required by law to obey their The answer is “Yesâ€? if the constitution explicitly recog- husbands? nizes customary or personal laws (that is, custom- The answer is “Yesâ€? if an explicit provision exists, stat- ary or religious law); the answer is also “Yesâ€? if the ing that married women must obey their husbands; constitution makes reference to methods by which customary law will be brought in line with constitu- The answer is “Noâ€? in the absence of a provision stat- tional principles, or by which customary law is to be ing that married women must obey their husbands. determined, or to requirements that customary chiefs 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for be consulted prior to enactment of legislation; also the family’s ï¬?nancial expenses? “Yesâ€? if the constitution recognizes religious systems of law or religious sources of law; also “Yesâ€? if the The answer is “Yesâ€? if there is an explicit provision stat- constitution derives its authority from customary or ing that spouses have joint or shared legal responsibil- religious law; ity for ï¬?nancially maintaining their family’s expenses; the answer is also “Yesâ€? if spouses have equal rights The answer is “Noâ€? in the absence of explicit consti- and responsibilities within marriage; tutional recognition of customary or religious sources or systems of law; The answer is “Noâ€? in the case of provisions stating that husbands are solely responsible for the ï¬?nancial This question does not include customary contractual support of the family. terms, or other forms of implied usage. 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources Constitutional rights of law, are they considered invalid if they violate constitu- This sub-topic focuses on the constitutional treatment of tional provisions on non-discrimination or equality? customary law, gender equality and non-discrimination. It The answer is “Yesâ€? if customary or religious laws are includes four questions: considered to be invalid sources of law if they violate 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or other provisions of constitutional law; the answer sex in the constitution? is also “Yesâ€? if the constitution makes reference to methods by which customary law will be brought in The answer is “Yesâ€? if the constitution explicitly line with constitutional principles on nondiscrimina- includes gender or sex as protected categories for tion or equality; the answer is also “Yesâ€? if the consti- nondiscrimination; tution establishes that customary laws or rights are guaranteed equally to men and women; Women, Business and the Law 2012 39 The answer is “Noâ€? if customary law or religious law is able to carry out the activity and his wife cannot equally takes precedence over constitutional provisions on do so. nondiscrimination or equality; The answer is N/A if there are no constitutional provi- Marital property regime sions on nondiscrimination or equality, or if custom- The main areas of differentiation between women and men ary law or personal law are not considered valid in exercising property rights lie in the rights granted to sources of law. spouses under various marital property regimes, some of which grant spouses equal treatment for property owner- Using property ship. Others grant husbands administrative control over jointly owned marital property. Still others grant husbands Assumptions about the woman administrative control over their wives’ property. Women, Resides in the economy’s main business city; Business and the Law summarizes the main characteristics of the default marital property regime by means of the Has reached the legal age of majority and is capable following three questions. of making decisions as an adult; if there is no legal age of majority, the woman is assumed to be 30 years old; 18. What is the default marital property regime? Is sane, competent, in good health, and has no crimi- The default marital property regime is the set of rules nal record; that apply to the management of property within Is a lawful citizen of the economy being examined; marriage when no prenuptial agreement exists. For the purposes of this question the default marital Where the question assumes that the woman (or property regimes are classiï¬?ed in the following ï¬?ve man) is married, the marriage is monogamous and it categories: is registered with the authorities; Separation of property —under a separate prop- Where the question assumes that the woman (or erty regime all property acquired by the spouses man) is unmarried, she (or he) has never been before they marry, as well as all property acquired married; during the marriage, remain the separate property Where the answer differs according to the legal of the acquiring spouse; it can also be referred to system applicable to the woman in question—as may as “out of community property;â€? be the case in economies where legal plurality exists— Partial community of property —whereby assets the answer used will be one applicable to the majority acquired prior to marriage are regarded as the of the population.5 separate property of the acquiring spouse, and The answers to the questions below are based on codiï¬?ed assets and income acquired after marriage, with law and not the implementation or practice of that law. few exceptions provided for by law, are regarded Therefore, customary law and religious law are not taken as joint property of the couple; into account unless the customary or religious law has Full community of property—all assets and been codiï¬?ed. The only exceptions to this rule are case law income brought into the marriage and acquired systems, and instances where decisions of religious courts during the marriage become the joint property of or schools of jurisprudence have legal standing equivalent the couple; it can also be referred to as “in commu- to that codiï¬?ed law.6 nity of property;â€? The questions in using property are designed to determine Deferred full or partial community of property— what the management and control of marital property the rules of partial or full community of property looks like under the default marital property regime in each apply at the time of dissolution of the marriage of the economies covered. For all questions concerning the (divorce or death of one of the spouses); prior to ability of married women to carry out activities indepen- that, separation of property applies; dently of their husbands, the key concern is reciprocity. Unequal treatment is counted only where a married man 40 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes Other—in countries where there is a default prop- 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, erty regime which does not ï¬?t any of the above is there a legal presumption of joint ownership between four descriptions. the husband and the wife? In countries where there is no default marital property This does not include property acquired by gift or regime, the most common marital property regime is used inheritance by one of the spouses; instead. The answer to this question depends on the default marital property regime; full and partial community 19. Who legally administers marital property? of property will assume a legal presumption of joint The answer to this question assumes that the default ownership between the husband and wife, while in marital property regime applies and is classiï¬?ed as separation of property and deferred full or partial follows: community of property there is no legal presump- tion of joint ownership between husband and wife; The original owner—where either the husband for mixed systems a speciï¬?c legal provision will be or the wife who originally bought the property necessary for legal presumption of joint ownership; manages it. The answer is N/A where joint marital property does Both spouses—where both spouses agree or have not exist and separation of property is the default the same rights over transactions concerning joint marital property regime. property; Other—in countries where neither of the above 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the two descriptions apply. marital home) exist for married couples? It is assumed that the marriage took place under the In countries where there is no default marital property default marital property regime; if there is no default regime, the most common marital property regime is used marital property regime, the most commonly used instead. formal marital property regime is used. 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default entitled to ownership of the marital home? for marital property? The answer to this question is classiï¬?ed as follows: It is assumed that the marriage took place under the The original owner—where the spouse (either default marital property regime; if there is no default husband or wife) who originally bought the prop- marital property regime, the most commonly used erty receives ownership of the marital home; formal marital property regime is used; Both spouses—where both spouses are entitled The answer is “Yesâ€? if joint titling is mandatory or is equally to the marital home; presumed for marital property under the default mari- Other—in countries where neither of the above tal property regime; e.g., marital assets belong to both two descriptions applies; spouses as the default provision under the marital property regime, unless the spouses opt out; This question assumes that the marital home was The answer is “Noâ€? if joint titling exists, but is not the purchased by one of the spouses during the marriage and presumed or default position; that the spouses have no children. The answer is N/A where joint marital property does Joint titling not exist and separation of property is the default Joint titling for married couples means that immoveable marital property regime. property, such as land or buildings is registered under the name of both spouses either explicitly or implicitly through Rights to moveable and immoveable property the default marital property regime. Moveable property is often also called personal property and is deï¬?ned as the private property that is portable, such as cars or jewelry. Immoveable property is also called real Women, Business and the Law 2012 41 property and refers to private property that cannot be The answer “Noâ€? applies when there are any differ- moved, such as land and buildings. ences in the treatment of moveable property based on gender, and broken down by marital status for This sub-topic includes four different questions across married individuals; e.g., if husbands are granted two legal transactions. In the data tables, these four ques- administrative control over moveable marital prop- tions are condensed into two questions with two possible erty and can dispose of it without requiring the wife’s answers each, one for immoveable property and one for consent the answer would be “No.â€? moveable property. The questions are as follows: 25b. Do married men and married women have equal 24a. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to immoveable property? ownership rights to moveable property? This question is designed to determine whether there This question is designed to determine whether there are gender based differences over immoveable prop- are gender based differences over moveable property erty rights for married men and married women; rights for unmarried men and unmarried women; Ownership rights as used here include the abil- Ownership rights as used here include the abil- ity to manage, control, administer, access, encumber, ity to manage, control, administer, access, encumber, receive, dispose of and transfer immoveable property; receive, dispose of and transfer moveable property; The answer to this question is based on whether The answer “Noâ€? applies when there are any differ- husbands and wives married under the default ences in the treatment of moveable property based property regime have equal ownership rights over on gender for unmarried individuals. immoveable property; 24b. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal The answer “Noâ€? applies when there are any differ- ownership rights to immoveable property? ences in the treatment of immoveable property based on gender, and broken down by marital status This question is designed to determine whether there for married individuals; e.g., if husbands are granted are gender based differences over immoveable prop- administrative control over immoveable marital prop- erty rights for unmarried men and unmarried women; erty and can dispose of it without requiring the wife’s Ownership rights as used here include the abil- consent the answer would be “No.â€? ity to manage, control, administer, access, encumber, receive, dispose of and transfer immoveable property; Inheritance rights The answer “Noâ€? applies when there are any differ- 26a. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights ences in the treatment of immoveable property based to moveable property from their parents? on gender for unmarried individuals. This question examines whether there are gender 25a. Do married men and married women have equal based differences in the rules of intestate succession ownership rights to moveable property? (that is, in the absence of a written will) for moveable property from parents to children; This question is designed to determine whether there are gender based differences over moveable property Where there are gender based differences on inheri- rights for married men and married women; tance for moveable property, the answer is “No.â€? Ownership rights as used here include the abil- 26b. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights ity to manage, control, administer, access, encumber, to immoveable property from their parents? receive, dispose of and transfer moveable property; This question examines whether there are gender The answer to this question is based on whether based differences in the rules of intestate succession husbands and wives married under the default prop- (that is, in the absence of a written will) for immove- erty regime have equal ownership rights over move- able property from parents to children; able property; Where there are gender based differences on inheri- tance for immoveable property, the answer is “No.â€? 42 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes 27a. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal Has been working long enough to accrue all beneï¬?ts, inheritance rights to moveable property? including any maternity/parental or retirement This question examines whether both spouses have beneï¬?ts; equal rank and the same rights when it comes to If a question assumes that a woman is pregnant, it is inheriting moveable assets in the absence of a will. her ï¬?rst pregnancy and a single birth is expected; the pregnancy is without complications; 27b. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to immoveable property? For purposes of determining the retirement and pensionable ages, the woman has raised one child This question examines whether both spouses have only; equal rank and rights when it comes to inheriting immoveable assets in the absence of a will. Is an employee in a non-managerial post in the manu- facturing sector in a ï¬?rm of at least 50 employees. 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless of gender, have equal inheri- Assumptions about the man tance rights to the marital home? Resides in the country’s main business city; This question is designed to determine whether there Has reached the legal age of majority and is capable are gender based differences in distribution of owner- of making decisions as an adult; ship of the marital home in the case of no immediate For purposes of determining the retirement and heirs and in the absence of a will. pensionable ages, the man is currently 40 years old The answer is “Yes,â€? where either surviving spouse and started working at the age of 25; has equal inheritance rights to the marital home Is sane, competent, in good health, and has no crimi- regardless of gender; nal record; The answer is “No,â€? where there are different inheri- Has been working long enough to accrue all beneï¬?ts, tance rights to the marital home based on gender; including any paternity/parental or retirement The data on the number of inequalities regarding move- beneï¬?ts; able property represent the count of the total number of If a question assumes that a man’s wife is pregnant, “Noâ€? answers in response to the four questions concerning it is his ï¬?rst child and a single birth is expected; the moveable property. pregnancy is without complications; The data on the number of inequalities regarding immove- Is an employee in a non-managerial post in the manu- able property represent the count of the total number of facturing sector in a ï¬?rm of at least 50 employees; “Noâ€? answers in response to the four questions concerning Has completed infant care training courses, which immoveable property. sometimes serve as a prerequisite for extended pater- nity leave. Getting a job In general, the answers to the questions in getting a job Assumptions about the woman are based on written law and not on collective bargaining Resides in the economy’s main business city; agreements; however, the latter are taken into account when the following two conditions are met: Has reached the legal age of majority and is capable of making decisions as an adult; They cover more than 50% of the work force in manufacturing; For purposes of determining the retirement and pensionable ages, the woman is currently 40 years They apply to individuals who are not party to the old and started working at the age of 25; original collective bargaining agreement. Is sane, competent, in good health, and has no crimi- nal record; Women, Business and the Law 2012 43 Working hours and industry restrictions Parental beneï¬?ts This section assumes that the woman gave all the neces- The questions on parental beneï¬?ts are divided into sary permissions, including written consent.7 maternity, paternity and parental beneï¬?ts. Maternity covers beneï¬?ts applicable only to the mother, while pater- 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? nity covers beneï¬?ts applicable only to the father;9 parental This question does not factor in night work restric- covers beneï¬?ts applicable to both the mother and the tions on pregnant women or nursing mothers; father, even if the distribution of those beneï¬?ts is unequal between the two parents. Where the law indicates that regulations may be promulgated by the relevant minister or ministry, 32a. Does the government mandate paid or unpaid mater- restricting women’s work at night or overtime work, nity leave? this is counted as a restriction. Here maternity leave can be paid or unpaid, as long 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? as the government explicitly mandates some form of maternity leave; This question is designed to determine if there are speciï¬?c industries in which women explicitly or Maternity leave is deï¬?ned as a leave available only implicitly cannot work, except in limited circum- to the mother; parental leave that is available to both stances. Explicit restrictions are examined regarding parents is not included in maternity leave; women working in such industries as mining; also Provisions for circumstantial leave by which an examined are implicit restrictions stating that women employee is entitled to a certain number of days of cannot work in “dangerousâ€? or “arduousâ€? conditions. paid leave (usually fewer than ï¬?ve days) upon the Restrictions on pregnant or working mothers are not birth of a child are considered paternity leave; even if included in this question; the law is gender neutral, such leave is not considered Where the law indicates that regulations may be maternity leave, provided maternity leave is covered promulgated by the relevant minister or ministry, elsewhere under the law. restricting women’s work in particular industries, this is counted as a restriction. 32b. Does the government mandate paid or unpaid pater- nity leave? 31. Can pregnant and nursing mothers work the same Here paternity leave can be paid or unpaid, as long number of hours as men and other women? 8 as the government explicitly mandates some form of This question is designed to determine if there are paternity leave; measures in place that limit the working hours of Paternity leave is deï¬?ned to mean leave that is avail- pregnant women and nursing mothers; able only to the father; parental leave that is available Allowances for time to nurse for nursing mothers are to both parents is not included in paternity leave; not considered a restriction on the working hours of Provisions for circumstantial leave in which an nursing mothers; employee is entitled to a certain number of days of Prescriptions that women are not allowed to work for paid leave (usually fewer than ï¬?ve days) upon the a certain period of time before or after giving birth birth of a child are considered paternity leave; even if are not considered to be a restriction on the working the law is gender neutral, such leave is not considered hours of pregnant women and nursing mothers; maternity leave provided maternity leave is covered Where the law indicates that regulations may be elsewhere under the law. promulgated by the relevant minister or ministry, 32a. Does the government mandate paid or unpaid paren- restricting women’s work at night, this is counted as tal leave? a restriction. Here parental leave can be paid or unpaid, as long as the government explicitly mandates some form of parental leave shared by both mother and father; 44 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes Allowances for a ï¬?xed number of days per year to be 34a. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity applied towards family emergencies, or child-related leave? responsibilities are not considered parental leave; the This is the total percentage of wages covered by all leave must be contiguous with the birth of the child sources during paid maternity leave; when differ- and maternity or paternity leave. ent percentages for wages are covered at different 33a. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid stages of maternity leave, a weighted average of this maternity leave (in calendar days)? percentage is calculated; weights are proportional to the duration of those stages. This is the number of days of maternity leave that legally have to be paid by the government, the 34b. What percentage of wages is paid during paternity employer or both; leave? Maternity leave is deï¬?ned to mean leave that is avail- This is the total percentage of wages covered by all able only to the mother; parental leave that is avail- sources during paid paternity leave; when different able to both parents is not included in maternity leave; percentages for wages are covered at different stages If paid leave not contiguous with the birth of a child is of paternity leave, a weighted average of this percent- provided, this leave is not considered paid maternity age is calculated; weights are proportional to the leave, as it can be taken at any point after the birth of duration of those stages. the child. 34c. What percentage of wages is paid during parental leave? 33b. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid paternity leave (in calendar days)? This is the total percentage of wages covered by all sources during paid parental leave. This is the number of days of paternity leave that legally have to be paid by the government, the Where there is paid parental leave but it is not paid in employer or both; full, the answer is “partially paid.â€? Paternity leave is deï¬?ned to mean leave that is avail- 35a. Who pays maternity leave beneï¬?ts? able only to the father; parental leave that is available This question covers whether maternity leave beneï¬?ts to both parents is not included in paternity leave; are funded by the government, the employer or both; If a father can take paid paternity leave only if the if only the employer funds maternity leave beneï¬?ts, mother does not take her maternity leave, the the employer bears the entire cost of the beneï¬?ts and assumption is that the mother takes her full entitle- pays the employee directly; ment to maternity leave. Employer contributions to government funds (such 33c. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid as Social Security) that pay maternity beneï¬?ts are not parental leave (in calendar days)? considered to be employer payments of maternity beneï¬?ts; This is the number of days of parental leave that legally have to be paid by the government, the employer or If the answer is N/A, no paid maternity leave is both; available. If the law mandates that the length of parental leave 35b. Who pays paternity leave beneï¬?ts? is not a deï¬?nite amount of time, but rather worded as This question covers whether paternity leave beneï¬?ts “until the child reaches a certain age,â€? then the number are funded by the government, the employer or both; of maternity leave days is subtracted from the number if only the employer funds paternity leave beneï¬?ts, of parental leave days; the employer bears the entire cost of the beneï¬?ts and Parental leave is counted only if it is contiguous with pays the employee directly. maternity and paternity leaves. Employer contributions to government funds (such as Social Security) that pay paternity beneï¬?ts are Women, Business and the Law 2012 45 not considered to be employer payments of paternity Where the maternity leave regime explicitly estab- beneï¬?ts; lishes a suspension of the employee’s contract, the If the answer is N/A, no paid paternity leave is answer is assumed to be “Yes;â€? available. If the answer is N/A, no paid or unpaid maternity leave is available. 35c. Who pays parental leave beneï¬?ts? This question covers whether parental leave beneï¬?ts 37b. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the are funded by the government, the employer or both; employee the same job when he returns from paternity if only the employer funds parental leave beneï¬?ts, the leave? employer bears the entire cost of the beneï¬?ts and The question considers paid and unpaid leave and pays the employee directly; captures whether the employer has a legal obligation Employer contributions to government funds (such to reinstate the returning employee in an equivalent as Social Security) that pay parental beneï¬?ts are or better pre-leave position and salary; not considered to be employer payments of parental Where the paternity leave does not exceed ten work- beneï¬?ts; ing days, the answer is assumed to be “Yes;â€? If the answer is N/A, no paid parental leave is available. If the answer is N/A, no paid or unpaid paternity leave is available. 36a. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity leave (in calendar days)? 37c. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the This is the number of days of optional unpaid mater- employee the same job when she or he returns from nity leave that an employer must provide; parental parental leave? leave that is optional for both parents is not included Here we consider paid and unpaid leave; the question here;10 captures whether the employer has a legal obligation If leave is provided, but it is not contiguous with the to reinstate the returning employee in an equivalent birth, this leave is not considered unpaid maternity or better pre-leave position and salary; leave, as it can be taken at any point after the birth If the answer is N/A, no paid or unpaid parental leave of the child. is available. 36b. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid 38a. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum paternity leave (in calendar days)? amount which only the mother must take (in calendar This is the number of days of optional unpaid paternity days)? leave that an employer must provide; parental leave Here parental leave refers to both paid and unpaid that is optional for both parents is not included here;11 leave; the question captures whether there is a mini- If a father can take unpaid paternity leave only if mum number of days which can be taken only by the mother does not take her maternity leave, the the mother and therefore cannot be shared with the assumption is that the mother takes her full entitle- father; ment to maternity leave. If the answer is N/A, no paid or unpaid parental leave is available. 37a. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when she returns from maternity 38b. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum leave? amount which only the father must take (in calendar The question considers paid and unpaid leave and days)? captures whether the employer has a legal obligation Here parental leave refers to both paid and unpaid to reinstate the returning employee in an equivalent leave; the question captures whether there is a or better pre-leave position and salary; minimum number of days that can be taken only by 46 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes the father and therefore cannot be shared with the 41b. What is the statutory retirement age for women in the mother; private sector? Example: Parental leave is 120 days; The mother must This is the age at which women working in the private take 48 days out of 120 and the father must take 10 sector can retire and receive full beneï¬?ts; days out of 120; if neither mother nor father takes the If retirement is not governed by age, but by the parental leave days designated for them, they will number of years worked, year of birth or the number lose those days; parents can decide how to divide the of years in which contributions are made, or if there remaining 62 days between them; they can also opt are transitional provisions increasing or decreasing to allocate all 62 days to only one parent; the retirement age over a period of years, the follow- If the answer is N/A, no paid or unpaid parental leave ing assumptions about the worker apply: currently 40 is available. years old and started working at age 25; 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal If there is no national law regarding retirement, this of pregnant women? question is coded as N/A. This question is designed to determine whether preg- 42a. What is the minimum pensionable age for men in the nancy can serve as grounds for dismissal; the answer private sector? is “Yesâ€? if the law explicitly prohibits and/or penalizes This is the age at which men can retire and receive the dismissal of pregnant women. pension beneï¬?ts, even if the beneï¬?ts are smaller than 40. Are employers required to provide break time for they would have been at the statutory retirement age; nursing mothers? minimum pensionable age is often also called early pensionable age; This question is designed to establish whether legal provisions speciï¬?cally require ï¬?rms and employers If there is no provision for pensionable age, then it is to provide break time for nursing mothers; such legal the same as the retirement age; requirement may depend on the size of the ï¬?rm or the The assumptions about the worker’s age stated under proportion of women it employs. the question concerning statutory retirement age apply here also; Retirement ages If there is no national law regarding retirement, this 41a. What is the statutory retirement age for men in the question is coded as N/A. private sector? 42b. What is the minimum pensionable age for women in This is the age at which men working in the private the private sector? sector can retire and receive full beneï¬?ts; This is the age at which women can retire and receive The assumption is that the retiree has completed all pension beneï¬?ts, even if the beneï¬?ts are smaller than the necessary qualiï¬?cations to retire at the retirement they would have been at the statutory retirement age; age; minimum pensionable age is often also called early If retirement is not governed by age, but by the pensionable age; number of years worked, year of birth or the number If there is no provision for pensionable age, then it is of years in which contributions are made, or if there the same as the retirement age; are transitional provisions increasing or decreasing the retirement age over a period of years, the follow- The assumptions about the worker’s age stated under ing assumptions about the worker apply: currently 40 the question concerning statutory retirement age years old and started working at age 25; apply here also; If there is no national law regarding retirement, this If there is no national law regarding retirement, this question is coded as N/A. question is coded as N/A. Women, Business and the Law 2012 47 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the Here, family status means whether the employee is statutory retirement age? married or not, and whether the employee has any If there is an age after which a person is no longer children. allowed to work, and that age is the same as the 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional statutory retirement age, then it is mandatory to legal rights to a flexible or part-time work schedule? retire at the statutory retirement age; but if there is an age after which a person is no longer allowed to work, This question is designed to determine whether the and that age is different from the statutory retirement law offers employees with minor children easier age, then it is not mandatory to retire at the statutory access to flexible work schedule arrangements or retirement age; part-time work in comparison with employees with- out minor children. If an employer is able to dismiss an employee based on age once the employee reaches the statutory Providing incentives to work retirement age, the answer to this question will be “Yes;â€? This topic evolved from the earlier sole focus on taxation (called dealing with taxes in the Women, Business and the If there is no national law regarding retirement, this Law 2010) to a broader focus on incentives to work for question is coded as N/A. women. Taxes and the provision of certain public services can make it easier or more difï¬?cult for women to partici- Legal rights in the workplace pate in the labor force. 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay between men and women for equal work? Personal income tax This question captures whether employers are legally 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? obliged to pay an equal salary to male and female This question is designed to determine whether child- employees who hold similar positions. care expenses are listed as deductible items in the 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring personal income tax code; for this purpose, childcare practices on the basis of gender? expenses cover the various options: kindergartens or crèches, day-care centers, after-school centers, This question is designed to determine whether the in-home care, child-minding arrangements. law speciï¬?cally prevents and/or penalizes gender based discrimination in accessing employment. 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual This question is designed to determine whether the harassment in the workplace? personal income tax code differentiates between men This question is designed to determine whether the and women on deductions and credits; labor code or another legal text includes a provision The answer is “Yesâ€? if the personal income tax code to prevent and/or penalize sexual harassment in the includes a tax deduction or credit which applies only workplace; the prohibition and/or penalization of to male taxpayers. sexual harassment by the criminal code is not consid- ered here. 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are only applicable to women? 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? This question is designed to determine whether the personal income tax code differentiates between men This question is designed to determine whether an and women as regards deductions and credits; employer is allowed to inquire about the family status of a prospective employee during a job interview; the The answer is “Yesâ€? if the personal income tax code law may prohibit discrimination based on this infor- includes a tax deduction or credit which applies only mation but remain silent as to whether employers are to female taxpayers. allowed to ask for it in the ï¬?rst place; 48 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes Childcare and education 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education private credit bureau or public credit registry (as a percent- for children? age of income per capita)? This question is designed to determine whether This number reflects the lowest minimum loan primary or elementary education is made compulsory amount of any credit bureau or registry in the econ- by the constitution or another legal text. omy in question; If a credit bureau or registry collects data on loans 53. If the law mandates compulsory primary education for worth less than 1% of income per capita, it is treated children, is it provided free of charge by the state? as if it collects data on loans of any value; thus an This question is designed to determine whether answer of 0 here means either that there is no mini- compulsory primary education is publicly funded. mum loan amount in at least one credit bureau or registry, or that at least one credit bureau or registry 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of collects data on loans worth less than 1% of income childcare, or does the state subsidize childcare for children per capita. under primary school age? The answer is N/A, if there is no credit bureau or For the purpose of this question, childcare may take registry in the economy. several forms: kindergartens or crèches, day-care centers, after-school centers, in-home care, child- 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to minding arrangements; private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Public authorities may fund childcare facilities and For the purposes of this question, it is sufï¬?cient that services; they may also subsidize the use of private any one private credit bureau or public credit registry childcare facilities and services as well as the hiring of in the economy in question collects information from child-minders; microï¬?nance institutions; The answer is “Yesâ€? if the government funds, totally or If the answer is N/A, the economy in question is partially, childcare facilities and services; the answer high-income; is also “Yesâ€? if the government subsidizes, totally or If the economy in question has no operational credit partially, the use of private childcare facilities or the bureau or registry, or if these entities collect informa- hiring of private child-minders. tion for less than 0.1% of the adult population, the entities are treated as not collecting information from Building credit microï¬?nance institutions. The background information for this indicator comes from the depth of credit information index that forms part of Going to court the Doing Business 2012 getting credit indicator. That index measures rules affecting the scope, accessibility Assumptions about the woman and quality of credit information available through private Resides in the economy’s main business city; credit bureaus and public credit registries. It examines six Has reached the legal age of majority and is capable features of private bureaus, public registries or both. of making decisions as an adult; High-income economies are not included in the sample Is sane, competent, in good health, and has no crimi- here, because microï¬?nance institutions are far more nal record; prevalent in developing economies. In addition, traditional Where the question assumes that the woman (or bank ï¬?nancing is, for the most part, widely available to man) is married, the marriage is monogamous and it women in high-income economies, making microï¬?nance is registered with the authorities; providers less critical to women’s quest for capital. Two questions that could potentially have a large impact on Where the question assumes that the woman (or women’s ability to build credit were examined in detail. man) is unmarried, she (or he) has never been married; Women, Business and the Law 2012 49 Where the answer differs according to the legal This question covers all types of court cases. system applicable to the woman in question—as may be the case in countries where legal plurality exists— 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a the answer used will be one applicable to the majority guardian in order to initiate legal proceedings in court? of the population.12 This question covers any type of court case. The answers to the questions below are based on codiï¬?ed 61. Do adult married women need permission from their law and not the implementation or practice of that law. husbands in order to initiate legal proceedings in court? Therefore customary law is not taken into account unless This question covers any type of court case. the customary law has been codiï¬?ed. Summary of methodology changes This topic assesses both indirect and direct differentiation in the law regarding women’s access to the judicial system. As footnoted above there were several changes of meth- The ï¬?rst two questions examine small claim courts which odology between Women, Business and the Law 2010 and can have a potentially signiï¬?cant impact on a woman’s Women, Business and the Law 2012. For that reason, the ability to go to court. The last three examine the value of a data presented on the website were recomputed to match woman’s testimony relative to man’s and a woman’s abil- the new methodology. In ï¬?ve of the six topics there were ity to initiate legal proceedings in a court of law. methodology changes: Accessing institutions—First, in Women, Business and 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast-track procedure the Law 2010, there were only two questions (one for small claims? regarding married women and another regarding all Small claims courts have limited jurisdiction and hear women independently of marital status) that summa- civil cases between private litigants involving rela- rized the information now included in the 12 questions tively small amounts of money; though the names of (1 to 12). The answer to the old question regarding such courts vary by jurisdiction, they share features married women is “Yes,â€? if all 12 new questions on that generally include relaxed rules of civil procedure, married women are answered as “Yes;â€? the answer the appearance of adversaries without legal represen- is “No,â€? if any of the 12 new questions is answered tation, the use of plain language and relaxed eviden- as “No.â€? Second, three of the items included in the tiary rules. Fast-track procedures for small claims or two original questions are no longer included: gender simpliï¬?ed procedural rules for small claims operate differentiation regarding personal income taxes; in a similar way but function under the auspices of gender differentiation regarding property use; and another court; gender differentiation regarding evidentiary weights. If the answer is “Yes,â€? there is either a small claims Third, the following additional areas were added: court or a fast-track procedure for claims of small gender differentiation regarding bank accounts and value. gender differentiation in choosing where to live. Fourth, the ability to travel was disaggregated into 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim two separate areas: the ability to travel outside the (as a percentage of income per capita)? home and the ability to travel outside the country. This indicates the highest amount for claims that Therefore the information presented in these 12 new can be heard in a small claims court; when different questions is not sufï¬?cient to reconstruct the original amounts apply to civil and commercial cases, the two questions. The areas covered in questions 13 to amount applicable to civil cases was used; 17 were not addressed in the pilot edition. In the 2012 edition, in cases where the answer differed according If the answer is N/A, the economy in question has to the legal system applicable to the woman in ques- no small claims courts or fast-track procedures for tion, the answer used was the one applicable to the claims of a small value. majority of the population, whereas in the pilot edition, 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary the most restrictive answer was used. This change in weight in court as a man’s? methodology affects both accessing institutions and using property. 50 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Data Notes Using property—In Women, Business and the Law began working at 25, whereas it was assumed earlier 2010, there were only two questions summarizing the that the worker was already old enough to retire. information now included in four questions (24 to Providing incentives to work—This topic used to be 27) because those two initial questions were further called “dealing with taxes,â€? thus covering only tax subdivided into moveable and immoveable property regulations. The topic was expanded to include ques- and married and unmarried women. Questions 24 tions regarding education and childcare. From the and 25 refer to the old question on “Do men and pilot edition, only the explicit gender differentiation women have equal ownership rights over moveable questions on personal income tax were retained. and immoveable property?â€? Questions 26 and 27 refer to the old question: “Do men and women have Going to court—In addition to including three new equal inheritance rights over moveable and immov- questions on women’s access to justice, the maxi- able property?â€? This topic now also includes new mum amount for a small claim now refers to civil questions on marital property regime and joint titling. cases or commercial cases (whichever has a lower threshold). Before, the maximum amount for a small Getting a job—An assumption was added, that the claim only referred to commercial claims. woman works in a company in the manufacturing sector employing 50 people or more, in order to Economy characteristics ascertain which maternity leave provisions apply. The question: “Can pregnant and nursing mothers Gross national income (GNI) per capita work the same hours and in the same industries as Women, Business and the Law uses 2010 income per men and other women?â€? now covers only hours and capita as published in the World Bank’s World Development not industries. Parental leave is now excluded from Indicators 2011. Income is calculated using the Atlas meth- maternity and paternity leave and a new set of ques- od (current U.S. dollars). For cost indicators expressed as tions is included focused solely on parental leave. a percentage of income per capita, 2010 GNI per capita in New assumptions on the age of the worker and the local currency units is used as the denominator. GNI data number of years of work resulted in changes in the were not available from the World Bank for Canada, Islamic computation of retirement and pensionable ages. It Republic of Iran, Kuwait, Oman, Puerto Rico, territory of is now assumed that the worker is 40 years old and TABLE 5.1 COVERAGE BY REGION Number of Region economies Names of economies East Asia & 14 Cambodia; China; Fiji; Hong Kong SAR, China; Indonesia; Lao PDR; Malaysia; Mongolia; Papua New Guinea; Paciï¬?c Philippines; Singapore; Taiwan, China; Thailand; Vietnam Europe & 23 Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Georgia; Kazakhstan; Central Asia Kosovo; Kyrgyz Republic; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia, FYR; Moldova; Montenegro; Romania; Russian Federation; Serbia; Tajikistan; Turkey; Ukraine; Uzbekistan High-income: 30 Australia; Austria; Belgium; Canada; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; OECD Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Israel; Italy; Japan; Korea, Rep.; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Slovak Republic; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom; United States Latin America 20 Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; & Caribbean Guatemala; Honduras; Jamaica; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Puerto Rico (U.S.); Uruguay; Venezuela, RB Middle East & 14 Algeria; Egypt, Arab Rep.; Iran, Islamic Rep.; Jordan; Kuwait; Lebanon; Morocco; Oman; Syrian Arab North Africa Republic; Tunisia; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; West Bank and Gaza; Yemen, Rep. South Asia 5 Bangladesh; India; Nepal; Pakistan; Sri Lanka Sub-Saharan 35 Angola; Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Chad; Congo, Dem. Rep.; Congo, Rep.; Côte Africa d’Ivoire; Ethiopia; Gabon; Ghana; Guinea; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mozambique; Namibia; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; Senegal; South Africa; Sudan; Tanzania; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe Women, Business and the Law 2012 51 the Unites States; Taiwan, China and Zimbabwe. In those 3 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Law 2010. cases the GDP data from the World Economic Outlook (April 2011) were used. 4 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Law 2010. 5 This is a change from the methodology in Women Business and the Regional and income groups Law 2010, where the most restrictive group was used. Women, Business and the Law uses the World Bank’s 6 Case law systems consist of laws developed by judges through regional and income group classiï¬?cations, available at: decisions of courts, rather than through legislative statutes (Acts) http://www.worldbank.org/data/countryclass. Economies or executive branch action (Decrees), creating binding precedent for future decisions. covered in this report are listed in table 5.1. 7 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Law 2010. Population and female labor force participation rate 8 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Women, Business and the Law uses midyear 2010 population Law 2010; in the previous edition industry restrictions were also data as published in the World Bank’s World Development analyzed. Indicators 2011. That publication was also used to obtain 9 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Law data on the female labor force participation rate, as a 2010. percentage of female population age 15–64. 10 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Law 2010. 11 This is a change in methodology from Women Business and the Law ENDNOTES 2010. 1 There are 61 different questions, subdivided into 91 individual 12 This is a change from the methodology in Women Business and the questions. Law 2010, where the most restrictive group was used. 2 This is a change from the methodology in Women Business and the Law 2010, where the most restrictive group was used. 52 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Economy Tables Economy Tables Economy Tables Albania Algeria Angola ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia Middle East & North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 1,597,982 17,279,668 9,379,419 Female labor force participation 56% 39% 76% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 1 1 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes N/A Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community Separation of property Partial community of property of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses The original owner Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 2 2 0 0 54 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Albania-Angola Albania Algeria Angola GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 365 0 0 98 3 0 84 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 62% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Government Employer N/A Government N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes No Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes No Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 65 55 60 60 60 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 57 62 55 60 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No Yes No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 612% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes No No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 55 Economy Tables Argentina Armenia Australia ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean Europe & Central Asia High income: OECD Income level Upper middle income Lower middle income High income Female population 20,521,892 1,645,985 11,000,762 Female labor force participation 58% 69% 70% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes N/A 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes No 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community Partial community Separation of property of property of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Other Both spouses The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 56 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Argentina Armenia Australia GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No Yes No No Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 90 2 0 140 0 955 0 0 126 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% Partially 0% 0% Partially Argentina–Australia Croatia-Jamaica Paid Paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Employer N/A Government N/A Government N/A N/A Government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 90 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A Yes N/A No N/A N/A Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 65 63 63 67 67 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 65 62.5 63 67 67 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 1% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 15% N/A 21% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 57 Economy Tables Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD Europe & Central Asia South Asia Income level High income Upper middle income Low income Female population 4,285,477 4,489,346 80,188,598 Female labor force participation 68% 65% 62% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes N/A No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes No family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Deferred full or partial Partial community of Separation of property community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Other Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Other Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes No of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 2 2 58 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Austria Azerbaijan Bangladesh GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 112 0 674 126 0 969 112 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% Partially 100% 0% Partially 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A Government Government N/A Government Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 14 14 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A No Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 60 60 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes No 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 65 65 57.5 62. 5 N/A N/A Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 62 62 52 57 N/A N/A Austria–Bangladesh 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No N/A Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 1% 0% 109% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A 54% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 59 Economy Tables Belarus Belgium Benin ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia High income: OECD Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income High income Low income Female population 5,169,924 5,505,059 4,425,874 Female labor force participation 68% 61% 69% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 2 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? N/A N/A No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Separation of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Other The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 60 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Belarus Belgium Benin GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 126 0 969 105 10 90 98 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% Partially 76% 87.4% Partially 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A Government Government Employer Government Employer N/A N/A and and government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man Japan-Netherlands 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 65 65 60 60 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 60 60 60 55 55 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax New Zealand-Switzerland 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No Yes No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Belarus–Benin Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 1% 1402% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No N/A No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes No 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 21% 6% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 61 Economy Tables Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean Europe & Central Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Lower middle income Upper middle income Upper middle income Female population 4,944,789 1,954,240 975,601 Female labor force participation 64% 66% 76% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes No Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered Yes N/A No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Separation of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 62 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 365 7 0 84 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 81% 0% 0% 60% .. 0% 25% 0% 0% 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Government .. N/A Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 57 58 65 65 65 65 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 49 55 55 60 65 65 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No Yes No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes No 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes No 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes N/A state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes .. GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 44% 20% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No Bolivia–Botswana proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 63 Economy Tables Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean Europe & Central Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Low income Female population 98,327,796 3,917,769 7,886,815 Female labor force participation 64% 62% 80% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes N/A Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Partial community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 64 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Brazil-Burkina Faso Brazil Bulgaria Burkina Faso GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 120 5 0 410 15 320 98 3 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 90% 90% Partially 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Employer N/A Government Government Government Employer and Employer N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes No Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 65 60 63 56 56 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 48 53 60 63 56 56 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? Yes No No New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No Yes 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 1866% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes No GOING TO COURT Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 177% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 65 Economy Tables Burundi Cambodia Cameroon ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa East Asia & Paciï¬?c Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Low income Low income Lower middle income Female population 4,233,339 7,560,611 9,762,894 Female labor force participation 92% 76% 55% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 1 2 0 0 0 4 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Full community of Partial community of Partial community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 1 1 66 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Burundi Cambodia Cameroon GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 4 0 90 0 0 98 3 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 50% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica Burundi–Cameroon 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and Employer N/A Employer N/A N/A Government Employer N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No Yes N/A No N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 55 55 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 55 55 50 50 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 471% N/A 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No No No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 31% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 67 Economy Tables Canada Chad Chile ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America & Caribbean Income level High income Low income Upper middle income Female population 17,032,916 5,636,619 8,577,146 Female labor force participation 75% 64% 47% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 2 0 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes Yes No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered Yes Yes N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Partial community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 1 1 68 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Canada Chad Chile GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 105 0 245 98 0 0 126 5 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 55% 0% Partially 50% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A Government Government N/A N/A Government Employer N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 14 0 0 1 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 65 65 60 60 60 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 55 55 No min. age No min. age 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Canada–Chile Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? Yes No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? Yes No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A No Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 53% N/A 7% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 69 Economy Tables China Colombia Congo, Dem. Rep. ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region East Asia & Paciï¬?c Latin America & Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Low income Female population 640,470,752 23,184,174 33,302,748 Female labor force participation 74% 44% 58% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 6 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? N/A Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No Yes 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A Yes No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Deferred full or partial Partial community of property community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Other Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes N/A Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 1 1 70 Women, Business and the Law 2012 China Colombia Congo, Dem. Rep. GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 90 3 0 84 10 0 98 2 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% .. 0% 100% 100% 0% 67% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and .. N/A Government Government N/A Employer Employer N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 .. 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A No Yes N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 50 60 55 60 60 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 50 60 55 60 60 65 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland China–Congo, Dem. Rep. 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% N/A (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 71% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No Yes proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 71 Economy Tables Congo, Rep. Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America & Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Lower middle income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 1,844,727 2,253,464 10,341,636 Female labor force participation 63% 49% 52% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 2 0 0 0 3 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Deferred full or partial Partial community of property community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Other Other Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Other Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? No No Yes Yes No No Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 1 1 0 0 1 1 72 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Congo, Rep. Costa Rica Côte d'Ivoire GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 105 0 0 120 0 0 98 2 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A Government Employer N/A government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? No Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 65 65 60 62 55 55 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 60 62 50 50 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No Yes New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes No 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes N/A state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 2004% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe Congo, Rep.–Côte d’Ivoire 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 73 Economy Tables Croatia Czech Republic Denmark ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia High income: OECD High income: OECD Income level High income High income High income Female population 2,296,779 5,342,242 2,788,499 Female labor force participation 59% 61% 77% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes No 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Deferred full or partial property property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Other Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 74 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Croatia-Denmark Croatia Czech Republic Denmark GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 182.5 0 182.5 196 0 899 126 14 224 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% Partially 70% 0% Partially 50% 36% Partially Croatia-Jamaica paid paid paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A Government Government N/A Government Employer and Government Government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 182.5 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A No Yes N/A No Yes Yes Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 65 65 65 67 67 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 60 62 62 67 67 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A N/A N/A GOING TO COURT Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 69% N/A 16% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 75 Economy Tables Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt, Arab Rep. ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean Latin America & Caribbean Middle East & North Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 5,021,294 6,800,213 41,256,936 Female labor force participation 55% 48% 24% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 2 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No Yes 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes No family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A Yes No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Separation of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Other The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes No 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes No of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 1 1 2 2 76 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt, Arab Rep. GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes No No Dominican Republic–Egypt, Arab Rep. 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 2 0 84 10 0 90 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer Employer N/A Employer Employer N/A Employer N/A N/A and and and government government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 730 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A No Yes N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 60 60 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 60 60 60 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes No GOING TO COURT Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No No 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 77 Economy Tables El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean High income: OECD Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Lower middle income High income Low income Female population 3,255,044 722,310 41,620,670 Female labor force participation 50% 69% 83% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes N/A Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Deferred full or partial Partial community of Partial community of community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 78 Women, Business and the Law 2012 El Salvador Estonia Ethiopia GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 140 0 955 90 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% Partially 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Government N/A Government Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 10 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 62.5 63 N/A N/A Japan-Netherlands El Salvador–Ethiopia 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 60 62.5 63 N/A N/A 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No N/A Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No Yes No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes No 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes N/A state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 4447% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes N/A No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 85% 20% 111% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 79 Economy Tables Fiji Finland France ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region East Asia & Paciï¬?c High income: OECD High income: OECD Income level Lower middle income High income High income Female population 418,309 2,721,900 32,171,482 Female labor force participation 40% 74% 66% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? N/A Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Partial community of community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Fiji Finland France GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 147 25.2 221.2 112 11 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 17% 0% 0% 25% 25% Partially 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Government Government Government Government Government N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No No Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 55 63 63 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 62 62 60 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No Yes 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No Yes 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education Fiji–France 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the No Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes N/A N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 75% N/A 13% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 81 Economy Tables Gabon Georgia Germany ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa Europe & Central Asia High income: OECD Income level Upper middle income Lower middle income High income Female population 738,030 2,256,415 41,734,809 Female labor force participation 72% 59% 71% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 4 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Partial community of Deferred full or partial property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Other Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes No 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes N/A Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 82 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Gabon Georgia Germany GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes No Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 0 0 126 0 0 98 0 360 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% Partially Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Government N/A N/A Employer and N/A Government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 351 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A No N/A No Yes N/A Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes No Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 60 65 67 67 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 60 65 63 63 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes No Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No Yes New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes N/A GOING TO COURT SyrianGabon–Germany 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 43% 2% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 83 Economy Tables Ghana Greece Guatemala ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa High income: OECD Latin America & Caribbean Income level Lower middle income High income Lower middle income Female population 11,756,578 5,689,722 7,191,255 Female labor force participation 75% 55% 50% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Partial community of community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 84 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Ghana-Guatemala Ghana Greece Guatemala GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 119 3 0 84 2 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Government Employer N/A Employer and Employer N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 65 65 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 60 60 60 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No N/A Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 55% 8% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 85 Economy Tables Guinea Honduras Hong Kong SAR, China ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America & Caribbean East Asia & Paciï¬?c Income level Low income Lower middle income High income Female population 4,983,868 3,736,180 3,681,308 Female labor force participation 83% 42% 61% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 4 0 1 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No No N/A 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Separation of property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Other The original owner The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner The original owner Other Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes No 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No N/A Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 1 1 0 0 0 0 86 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Guinea Honduras Hong Kong SAR, China GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No No Yes No No Guinea–Hong Kong SAR, China 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 0 0 84 0 0 70 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 80% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 27 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 55 60 65 65 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 60 65 60 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the No Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry N/A 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 136% 20% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 87 Economy Tables Hungary Iceland India ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD High income: OECD South Asia Income level High income High income Lower middle income Female population 5,264,785 155,680 558,442,950 Female labor force participation 55% 81% 35% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 1 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Deferred full or partial Separation of property property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 88 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Hungary Iceland India GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 168 5 927 90 90 90 84 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 70% 100% Partially 80% 80% Partially 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Government Government Government Government Government Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes No Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 62 62 67 67 58 58 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 62 62 67 67 50 50 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Hungary–India Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 1% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A N/A Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 39% N/A 15% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 89 Economy Tables Indonesia Iran, Islamic Rep. Ireland ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region East Asia & Paciï¬?c Middle East & North Africa High income: OECD Income level Lower middle income Upper middle income High income Female population 115,157,524 35,832,890 2,221,848 Female labor force participation 53% 33% 64% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No .. No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 1 1 7 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No No Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No No No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A No N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Separation of property Separation of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses The original owner The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 2 2 0 0 90 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Indonesia Iran, Islamic Rep. Ireland GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 90 2 0 90 0 0 182 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 67% 0% 0% 44% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer Employer N/A Government N/A N/A Government N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 112 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No Yes N/A Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes No Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 55 55 60 65 65 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 42 50 65 65 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? Yes No No New Indonesia–Ireland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education Zealand-Switzerland 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes No Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes N/A Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No .. Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 1% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 102% 7% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes No Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 91 Economy Tables Israel Italy Jamaica ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD High income: OECD Latin America & Caribbean Income level High income High income Upper middle income Female population 3,751,303 30,924,416 1,378,385 Female labor force participation 61% 52% 61% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No No No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? No Yes No 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Deferred full or partial Partial community of Separation of property community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 92 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Israel Italy Jamaica GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 0 0 150 0 300 56 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 80% 0% Partially 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Government N/A Government Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 28 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A No Yes N/A Yes Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 62 67 60 65 60 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 62 67 60 62 60 65 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No Yes No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? Yes No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes No 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes N/A state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% N/A (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A N/A No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes Yes Syrian Israel–Jamaica 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 29% 20% 12% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 93 Economy Tables Japan Jordan Kazakhstan ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD Middle East & North Africa Europe & Central Asia Income level High income Upper middle income Upper middle income Female population 65,423,535 2,899,126 8,321,421 Female labor force participation 62% 25% 73% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes .. No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes .. No Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 1 5 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No Yes No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes No Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A No N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Other Separation of property Partial community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Other Other Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 2 2 0 0 94 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Japan-Kazakhstan Japan Jordan Kazakhstan GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes No Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 0 327 70 0 0 126 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 60% 0% Partially 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A Government Employer N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A No Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 65 65 55 60 58 63 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 50 50 58 63 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No Yes 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes No Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 613% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A Yes Yes GOING TO COURT Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 15% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 95 Economy Tables Kenya Korea, Rep. Kosovo ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa High income: OECD Europe & Central Asia Income level Low income High income Lower middle income Female population 19,906,741 24,610,134 .. Female labor force participation 78% 55% .. ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Partial community of Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 96 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Kenya Korea, Rep. Kosovo GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 90 14 0 90 0 0 270 2 3 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% 63% 100% 100% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer Employer N/A Employer and N/A N/A Employer and Employer Employer Kenya–Kosovo government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 3 90 14 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 55 60 60 65 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 55 55 65 65 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No Yes No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No No Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No N/A No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 83% 83% 21% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 97 Economy Tables Kuwait Kyrgyz Republic Lao PDR ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Middle East & North Africa Europe & Central Asia East Asia & Paciï¬?c Income level High income Low income Lower middle income Female population 1,130,792 2,695,741 3,166,950 Female labor force participation 47% 59% 81% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? .. No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes .. Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 2 3 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes N/A 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? .. No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Partial community of Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? No Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? N/A Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 0 0 98 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Kuwait Kyrgyz Republic Lao PDR GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 70 0 0 126 0 0 90 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 46% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 5 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 55 58 63 55 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 50 55 58 63 55 60 Kuwait–Lao PDR 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? .. No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No Yes No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% N/A (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 38% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? No Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 99 Economy Tables Latvia Lebanon Lesotho ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia Middle East & North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 1,215,763 2,155,641 1,091,316 Female labor force participation 70% 25% 72% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes .. No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No No No No 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 1 2 1 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes No No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No Yes No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes No Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A No No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Other Separation of property Partial community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Other The original owner Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 2 2 0 0 100 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Latvia Lebanon Lesotho GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 112 10 547.5 49 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 80% 80% Partially 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Government Government Employer N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 84 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes No Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 62 62 64 64 70 70 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 62 62 60 60 70 70 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? Yes No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No Yes No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Latvia–Lesotho Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% N/A (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 705% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 101 Economy Tables Liberia Lithuania Macedonia, FYR ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa Europe & Central Asia Europe & Central Asia Income level Low income Upper middle income Upper middle income Female population 1,989,788 1,776,824 1,022,502 Female labor force participation 69% 65% 51% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered Yes N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Partial community of Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 102 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Liberia Lithuania Macedonia, FYR GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 90 0 0 126 30 730 270 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 100% Partially 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Government Government Government Government N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 60 62.5 62 64 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 60 62.5 62 64 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A 89% Liberia–Macedonia, FYR 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 103 Economy Tables Madagascar Malawi Malaysia ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa East Asia & Paciï¬?c Income level Low income Low income Upper middle income Female population 9,853,789 7,678,652 13,521,196 Female labor force participation 86% 74% 47% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes No No 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 2 0 1 1 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No No No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A Yes No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Separation of property Separation of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses The original owner The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes .. No No 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes .. No of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 2 2 104 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Madagascar-Malaysia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 0 0 56 0 0 60 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes No No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 N/A N/A 55 55 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 60 N/A N/A 55 55 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No N/A No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes No 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No Yes New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes No Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes N/A Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry N/A N/A 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No No Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A 19% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes No 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 105 Economy Tables Mali Mauritania Mauritius ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Low income Lower middle income Upper middle income Female population 6,585,763 1,622,094 643,400 Female labor force participation 39% 61% 45% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes No No No Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 4 1 3 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? Yes No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes No Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A No No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Separation of property Partial community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Other The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner The original owner Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 2 2 0 0 106 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Mali Mauritania Mauritius GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 3 0 98 0 0 84 5 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Employer N/A Government N/A N/A Employer Employer N/A Mali–Mauritius 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A Yes N/A N/A No Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 58 58 55 60 65 65 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 53 53 55 60 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No Yes No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes .. Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 1742% 167% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No No No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A 11% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes .. Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 107 Economy Tables Mexico Moldova Mongolia ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean Europe & Central Asia East Asia & Paciï¬?c Income level Upper middle income Lower middle income Lower middle income Female population 54,529,395 1,891,895 1,349,981 Female labor force participation 46% 53% 71% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes N/A 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Other property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Other Both spouses Other Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 108 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Mexico Moldova Mongolia GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 126 0 969 120 0 0 (in calendar days)? Croatia-Jamaica 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% Partially 70% 0% 0% paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Government N/A Government Government N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A No Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? No Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man Japan-Netherlands 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 65 65 57 62 55 60 Mexico–Mongolia 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 65 65 57 62 55 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes Yes 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax New Zealand-Switzerland 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 168% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 109 Economy Tables Montenegro Morocco Mozambique ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia Middle East & North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Lower middle income Low income Female population 317,411 16,280,426 11,759,717 Female labor force participation .. 28% 86% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 1 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Separation of property Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses The original owner Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 2 2 0 0 110 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Montenegro Morocco Mozambique GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 365 0 0 98 3 0 60 1 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 67% 100% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and N/A N/A Government Government N/A Government Government N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 90 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A No Yes Yes N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 65 60 60 55 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 65 60 60 55 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No Yes Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? Yes No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland Montenegro–Mozambique 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 10% 4% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 111 Economy Tables Namibia Nepal Netherlands ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa South Asia High income: OECD Income level Upper middle income Low income High income Female population 1,100,788 14,762,830 8,337,386 Female labor force participation 54% 66% 74% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes .. .. Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 1 1 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes .. Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered Yes N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Full community of property Separation of property Full community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The Original Owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Other Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 2 2 0 0 112 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Namibia Nepal Netherlands GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No No Yes Yes Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 52 0 0 112 2 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A Government Employer N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 26 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A No N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes No Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 N/A N/A 65 65 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 N/A N/A 65 65 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No Yes No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 6319% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes No N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A 14% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes Namibia–Netherlands 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 113 Economy Tables New Zealand Nicaragua Niger ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD Latin America & Caribbean Sub-Saharan Africa Income level High income Lower middle income Low income Female population 2,184,101 2,899,447 7,632,975 Female labor force participation 72% 50% 39% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 5 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? No Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Separation of property .. property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner .. 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses The original owner .. Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No .. of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes .. 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No .. Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes .. of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 114 Women, Business and the Law 2012 New Zealand-Niger New Zealand Nicaragua Niger GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 98 0 0 84 0 0 98 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 14 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 65 65 60 60 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 65 65 60 60 60 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? Yes No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 2921% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 34% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 115 Economy Tables Nigeria Norway Oman ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa High income: OECD Middle East & North Africa Income level Lower middle income High income High income Female population 77,181,389 2,427,435 1,240,252 Female labor force participation 40% 76% 27% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 2 4 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No .. 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes No family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes No Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Separation of property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Other The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No No 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No N/A N/A Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes No of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 2 2 116 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Nigeria Norway Oman GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No No No Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 0 0 322 42 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 50% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 75% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A N/A N/A Government Employer N/A N/A Nigeria–Oman 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A N/A N/A Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 63 70 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 50 50 67 67 55 60 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 50 50 62 62 45 45 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes No 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No Yes No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes No 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes N/A state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry N/A 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No N/A N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 24% 204% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes No 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 117 Economy Tables Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region South Asia Latin America & Caribbean East Asia & Paciï¬?c Income level Lower middle income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 82,322,108 1,712,652 3,310,803 Female labor force participation 22% 53% 73% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 3 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes N/A 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? Yes No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered Yes N/A No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Separation of property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Other The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Other The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes No Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No N/A No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 0 0 118 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Pakistan Panama Papua New Guinea GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 0 0 98 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Employer and N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 42 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man Pakistan–Papua New Guinea 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 57 62 55 55 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 50 55 55 60 55 55 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? No Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes .. state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 114% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? No Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 119 Economy Tables Paraguay Peru Philippines ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean Latin America & Caribbean East Asia & Paciï¬?c Income level Lower middle income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 3,143,681 14,547,410 45,655,338 Female labor force participation 59% 62% 51% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? N/A N/A Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A Yes Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Full community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 1 1 120 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Paraguay Peru Philippines GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes Yes No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 63 2 0 90 4 0 60 7 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 50% 100% 0% 100% 100% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Employer N/A Government Employer N/A Government Employer N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 21 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A No Yes N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 65 65 65 65 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 65 65 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes No Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No No No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Paraguay–Philippines Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A N/A 104% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 121 Economy Tables Poland Portugal Puerto Rico (U.S.) ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD High income: OECD Latin America & Caribbean Income level High income High income High income Female population 19,748,483 5,483,693 2,064,874 Female labor force participation 56% 69% 43% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Partial community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 122 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Poland Portugal Puerto Rico (U.S.) GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes Yes No No Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 140 7 0 0 0 120 56 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Government N/A N/A N/A Government Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 48 10 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 65 65 65 67 67 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 65 65 65 62 62 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes Yes 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No Yes Yes 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A N/A N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 28% 32% 87% Poland–Puerto Rico (U.S.) 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 123 Economy Tables Romania Russian Federation Rwanda ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia Europe & Central Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Low income Female population 11,038,961 76,302,388 5,155,517 Female labor force participation 54% 69% 88% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 2 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Full community of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 124 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Romania-Rwanda Romania Russian Federation Rwanda GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 126 15 604 140 0 955 84 4 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 90% 100% Partially 100% 0% Partially 60% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and Employer Government Government N/A Government Employer Employer N/A government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 58.9 62.9 55 60 55 55 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 58.9 62.9 55 60 55 55 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes Yes GOING TO COURT Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes No 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 8% 16% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 125 Economy Tables Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Middle East & North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Europe & Central Asia Income level High income Lower middle income Upper middle income Female population 11,375,213 6,319,898 3,698,317 Female labor force participation 22% 66% .. ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? .. No Yes No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 3 6 0 2 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? Yes No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? No Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Separation of property Partial community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner The original owner Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 2 2 0 0 126 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 70 1 0 98 0 0 135 0 230 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 100% Saudi Arabia–Serbia Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer Employer N/A Employer and N/A N/A Government N/A Government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No Yes N/A Yes N/A N/A No N/A No she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 60 60 60 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 50 53 53 60 65 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes Yes No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? No Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No Yes 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? No Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the N/A Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 2030% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A No Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 31% N/A 2398% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? No Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 127 Economy Tables Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region East Asia & Paciï¬?c High income: OECD High income: OECD Income level High income High income High income Female population 2,481,551 2,789,798 1,045,250 Female labor force participation 60% 62% 67% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Other Partial community of Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 128 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 112 0 0 196 0 899 105 15 260 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 55% 0% Partially 100% 100% 100% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer and N/A N/A Government N/A Government Government Government Government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 196 0 75 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes No No No she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 62 62 62 62 60.3 63 Japan-Netherlands Singapore–Slovenia 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 62 62 60 60 60.3 63 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? Yes No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes Yes 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? Yes No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 3% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A N/A N/A GOING TO COURT Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes Yes 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 18% 4% 12% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 129 Economy Tables South Africa Spain Sri Lanka ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa High income: OECD South Asia Income level Upper middle income High income Lower middle income Female population 25,004,235 23,297,952 10,305,473 Female labor force participation 51% 63% 38% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered Yes N/A No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Full community of property Partial community of Separation of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 130 Women, Business and the Law 2012 South Africa Spain Sri Lanka GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 120 3 0 112 13 0 84 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 39% 100% 0% 100% 100% 0% 86% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Employer N/A Government Government N/A Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? N/A N/A 65 65 50 55 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? N/A N/A 65 65 50 55 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? N/A No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? No Yes No 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No Yes No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No Yes No South Africa–Sri Lanka Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the No Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes N/A No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 23% 26% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 131 Economy Tables Sudan Sweden Switzerland ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa High income: OECD High income: OECD Income level Lower middle income High income High income Female population 20,987,087 4,685,890 3,955,074 Female labor force participation 32% 77% 76% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 2 6 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? Yes No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Deferred full or partial community of property community of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner The original owner The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner The original owner The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? No Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? N/A No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 0 0 132 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Sudan Sweden Switzerland GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 56 0 0 0 10 480 98 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 0% 80% Partially 80% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A N/A Government Government Government N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 98 0 14 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 60 60 N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? No Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 65 65 64 65 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 50 50 61 61 62 63 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No Yes 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry N/A 0% 1% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No N/A N/A GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 6% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? No Yes Yes Sudan–Switzerland 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 133 Economy Tables Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, China Tajikistan ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Middle East & North Africa East Asia & Paciï¬?c Europe & Central Asia Income level Lower middle income High income Low income Female population 10,446,717 .. 3,519,962 Female labor force participation 22% .. 60% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 1 4 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? Yes No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Deferred full or partial Partial community of community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner The original owner Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 0 0 134 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Syrian Arab Republic-Tajikistan Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, China Tajikistan GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 120 0 0 56 2 180 140 0 407.5 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 100% Partially 100% 0% Partially Croatia-Jamaica paid paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Employer Employer Government Government N/A Government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 547.5 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A No Yes No Yes N/A No she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A 0 0 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes No 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 65 65 58 63 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 60 60 60 60 58 63 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No Yes No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No Yes No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% N/A (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes N/A No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 17% 116% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? No Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 135 Economy Tables Tanzania Thailand Togo ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Sub-Saharan Africa East Asia & Paciï¬?c Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Low income Upper middle income Low income Female population 21,932,411 34,436,085 3,342,196 Female labor force participation 89% 70% 65% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 1 0 0 1 5 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No No No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Partial community of Separation of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Other 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 1 2 0 0 0 0 136 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Tanzania Thailand Togo GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 84 3 0 90 0 0 98 2 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 75% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer Employer N/A Employer and N/A N/A Employer and Employer N/A Tanzania–Togo government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A No N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes No Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 55 55 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 55 55 55 60 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No Yes Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No No No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry N/A 0% 2422% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 211% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 137 Economy Tables Tunisia Turkey Uganda ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Middle East & North Africa Europe & Central Asia Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Upper middle income Upper middle income Low income Female population 5,186,151 37,236,294 16,327,208 Female labor force participation 28% 26% 81% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? .. No Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 2 0 0 0 1 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Partial community of Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 0 0 138 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Tunisia Turkey Uganda GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes Yes No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 30 1 0 112 0 0 60 4 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 67% 100% 0% 66% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Government N/A Government N/A N/A Employer Employer N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 180 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No Yes N/A No N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 60 60 58 60 55 55 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 50 50 58 60 50 50 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Tunisia–Uganda Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? No Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? No Yes Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? Yes No No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes Yes No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 122% 54% N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 139 Economy Tables Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Europe & Central Asia Middle East & North Africa High income: OECD Income level Lower middle income High income High income Female population 24,793,614 1,505,353 31,502,178 Female labor force participation 62% 43% 69% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes .. No Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes .. No Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 5 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No Yes No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes No Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes No No 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes No 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No Yes No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A No N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Separation of property Separation of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses The original owner The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses The original owner The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes No No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes No No Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes No Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 2 2 0 0 140 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No No Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No No Yes 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 126 0 969 45 0 0 273 14 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% Partially 100% 0% 0% 28% 17% 0% Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government N/A Government Employer N/A N/A Employer Employer N/A and and government government 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 91 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes N/A Yes No N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes No Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes No Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man Japan-Netherlands 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 60 60 65 65 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 60 50 50 67 67 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time Yes No Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax New Zealand-Switzerland 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No Yes Ukraine–United Kingdom 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes No Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No N/A N/A Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 42% 21% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes No Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 141 Economy Tables United States Uruguay Uzbekistan ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region High income: OECD Latin America & Caribbean Europe & Central Asia Income level High income Upper middle income Lower middle income Female population 155,538,084 1,730,815 13,964,211 Female labor force participation 68% 66% 62% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No No Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No No 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A N/A invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Other Partial community of Partial community of property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses Both spouses 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Other Both spouses Both spouses Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes Yes of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes Yes Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 0 0 142 Women, Business and the Law 2012 United States Uruguay Uzbekistan GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes Yes 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes Yes Yes and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 0 0 0 84 3 0 126 0 604 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 0% 0% 0% 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% Partially Croatia-Jamaica paid 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? N/A N/A N/A Government Employer N/A Government N/A Employer 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when N/A N/A Yes Yes Yes N/A Yes N/A No she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the 0 0 N/A N/A 0 0 mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 67 67 60 60 55 60 Japan-Netherlands 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 62 62 60 60 55 60 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No Yes Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes No 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes Yes No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? Yes No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No Yes work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? Yes No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes Yes childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? N/A Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No No Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe United States–Uzbekistan 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 11% N/A N/A 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 143 Economy Tables Venezuela, RB Vietnam West Bank and Gaza ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Latin America & Caribbean East Asia & Paciï¬?c Middle East & North Africa Income level Upper middle income Lower middle income Lower middle income Female population 14,135,121 44,171,280 1,985,745 Female labor force participation 55% 74% 17% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes .. .. 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 0 0 0 0 1 2 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? Yes Yes No 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? No No Yes 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the Yes Yes No family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? No No Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered N/A N/A No invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Partial community of Partial community of Separation of property property property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? Both spouses Both spouses The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption Yes Yes No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? Yes Yes No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes No No 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless Yes Yes No of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 0 0 0 0 2 2 144 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Venezuela, R.B.-West Bank and Gaza Venezuela, RB Vietnam West Bank and Gaza GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? Yes Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? Yes No No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men Yes No No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes Yes No Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 126 14 0 120 0 0 70 0 0 (in calendar days)? 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 100% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Government Government N/A Government N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when Yes Yes N/A Yes N/A N/A No N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes Yes Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 55 60 N/A N/A 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 55 60 55 60 N/A N/A Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No N/A Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes Yes No 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes Yes No 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? Yes No No 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize Yes Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry N/A 0% 0% (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No No Yes GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? Yes No Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? 656% N/A 169% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? Yes Yes No 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 145 Economy Tables Yemen, Rep. Zambia Zimbabwe ECONOMY CHARACTERISTICS Region Middle East & North Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Sub-Saharan Africa Income level Lower middle income Lower middle income Low income Female population 11,657,434 6,482,671 6,468,171 Female labor force participation 21% 60% 61% ACCESSING INSTITUTIONS Rights of married and unmarried women Unmarried Married Unmarried Married Unmarried Married 1. Can a woman apply for a passport in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 2. Can a woman travel outside the country in the same way as a man? .. .. Yes Yes Yes Yes 3. Can a woman travel outside her home in the same way as a man? Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes 4. Can a woman get a job or pursue a trade or profession in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 5. Can a woman sign a contract in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 6. Can a woman register a business in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 7. Can a woman be “head of householdâ€? or “head of familyâ€? in the same way as a man? .. .. Yes Yes Yes Yes 8. Can a woman confer citizenship on her children in the same way as a man? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 9. Can a woman open a bank account in the same way as a man? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 10. Can a woman choose where to live in the same way as a man? .. No Yes Yes Yes Yes Number of inequalities in accessing institutions 1 4 0 0 0 0 Division of responsibility within marriage 11. Can a woman convey citizenship to her non-national spouse in the same way as a man? No N/A Yes 12. Are married women required by law to obey their husbands? Yes No No 13. Do married couples jointly share legal responsibility for ï¬?nancially maintaining the No Yes Yes family’s expenses? Constitutional rights 14. Is there a non-discrimination clause covering gender or sex in the constitution? No Yes Yes 15. Does the constitution guarantee equality before the law? Yes Yes Yes 16. Are either customary or personal law valid sources of law under the constitution? Yes Yes Yes 17. If either customary or personal law are valid sources of law, are they considered No No Yes invalid if they violate constitutional provisions on nondiscrimination or equality? USING PROPERTY Marital property regime 18. What is the default marital property regime? Separation of property Separation of property Separation of property 19. Who legally administers joint marital property? The original owner The original owner The original owner 20. In the case of dissolution of the marriage, who is entitled to ownership of the marital home? The original owner The original owner The original owner Joint titling 21. For property acquired during the course of a marriage, is there a legal presumption No No No of joint ownership between the husband and the wife? 22. Does joint titling of major assets (such as land or the marital home) exist for married couples? Yes Yes Yes 23. If joint titling exists for married couples, is it the default for marital property? No No No Rights over moveable and immoveable property Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable Moveable Immoveable 24. Do unmarried men and unmarried women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 25. Do married men and married women have equal ownership rights to property? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Inheritance rights 26. Do sons and daughters have equal inheritance rights to property from their parents? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 27. Do female and male surviving spouses have equal inheritance rights to property? No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 28. In the case of the death of one of the spouses, does the surviving spouse, regardless No Yes Yes of gender, have equal inheritance rights to the marital home? Number of inequalities regarding property 2 2 0 0 0 0 146 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Yemen, Rep. Zambia Zimbabwe GETTING A JOB Working hours and industry restrictions 29. Can women work the same night hours as men? No Yes No 30. Can women work in the same industries as men? No Yes No 31. Can pregnant women and nursing mothers work the same number of hours as men No Yes No and other women? Parental beneï¬?ts Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental Maternity Paternity Parental 32. Does the law mandate paid or unpaid maternity/paternity/parental leave? Yes No No Yes No No Yes No No 33. What is the mandatory minimum length of paid maternity/paternity/parental leave 60 0 0 84 0 0 98 0 0 (in calendar days)? Yemen, Rep.–Zimbabwe 34. What percentage of wages is paid during maternity/paternity/parental leave? 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% 100% 0% 0% Croatia-Jamaica 35. Who pays maternity/paternity/parental leave beneï¬?ts? Employer N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A Employer N/A N/A 36. What is the mandatory minimum length of unpaid maternity/paternity leave 0 0 0 0 0 0 (in calendar days)? 37. Are there laws obligating the employer to give the employee the same job when No N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A Yes N/A N/A she/he returns from maternity/paternity/parental leave? Mother Father Mother Father Mother Father 38. Where parental leave exists, what is the minimum number of days which must be taken by either the N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A mother or the father (in calendar days)? 39. Are there laws penalizing or preventing the dismissal of pregnant women? Yes Yes Yes 40. Are employers required to provide break time for nursing mothers? Yes No Yes Retirement and pensions Woman Man Woman Man Woman Man 41. What is the statutory retirement age in the private sector? 55 60 55 55 60 60 42. What is the minimum pensionable age in the private sector? 46 50 50 50 60 60 Japan-Netherlands 43. In the private sector, is it mandatory to retire at the statutory retirement age? No No No Legal rights in the workplace 44. Are there laws or constitutional provisions mandating equal pay for equal work? Yes No Yes 45. Are there laws mandating nondiscrimination in hiring practices on the basis of gender? Yes No Yes 46. Are there laws protecting employees from sexual harassment in the workplace? No No Yes 47. Is it illegal to ask questions about a prospective employee’s family status during a job interview? No No No 48. Do employees with minor children have any additional legal rights to a flexible or a part-time No No No work schedule? PROVIDING INCENTIVES TO WORK Personal income tax 49. Are payments for childcare tax deductible? No No No 50. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to men? No No No New Zealand-Switzerland 51. Are there speciï¬?c tax deductions or tax credits that are applicable only to women? No No No Childcare and education 52. Does the law mandate compulsory primary education for children? Yes Yes Yes 53. If the law does mandate compulsory primary education for children, is it provided by the Yes Yes Yes state for free? 54. Are there laws establishing the public provision of childcare, or does the state subsidize No Yes No childcare for children under the age of primary education? BUILDING CREDIT 55. What is the minimum loan amount covered in the private credit bureau or public credit registry 0% 0% N/A (as a percentage of income per capita)? 56. Do microï¬?nance institutions provide information to private credit bureaus or public credit registries? No Yes No GOING TO COURT 57. Is there a small claims court or a fast track procedure for small claims? No Yes Yes Syrian Arab Rep.-Zimbabwe 58. If so, what is the maximum amount for a small claim (as a percentage of income per capita)? N/A 377% 9047% 59. Does a woman’s testimony carry the same evidentiary weight in court as a man’s ? No Yes Yes 60. Do adult unmarried women need permission from a guardian in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? 61. Do adult married women need permission from their husbands in order to initiate legal No No No proceedings in court? Women, Business and the Law 2012 147 Acknowledgments The project to develop the Women, Business and the Law The report was edited by AmadeaEditing, with design and indicator set was led by Rita Ramalho, under the general graphics by Corporate Visions. The cover concept was direction of Augusto López-Claros. Members of the core designed by René Steiner. The online Women, Business and research team included Nayda Almodóvar-Reteguis, the Law database (http://wbl.worldbank.org) is managed Yasmin Bin-Humam, Sarah Iqbal, Khrystyna Kushnir, by Preeti Endlaw and Graeme Littler, supported by Felipe Thibault Meilland and Paula Tavares. Assisting with data Iturralde-Escudero, Kunal Patel and Hashim Zia. The collection were César Chaparro-Yedro, Fernando Dancausa Women, Business and the Law report media and marketing Diaz, Raian Divanbeigi, Leila Hanaï¬?, Jean Philippe strategy is managed by Nadine Shamounki Ghannam and Lodugnon Harding, Valerie Erica Marechal, Joanna Nasr, the core research team is assisted by Rose Gachina. Pilar Salgado-Otónel and Lucas Seabra. Preparation of the report was supported by the Nordic Mohammad Amin assisted in the data analysis. Reena Trust Fund for Human Rights. Badiani, Mary Hallward-Driemeier and Tazeen Hasan collaborated in the preparation of the historical data. The This report was made possible by the generous contri- Annex on women’s economic rights and human rights was butions of close to 700 lawyers, judges, civil society prepared in collaboration with Julie Maupin, Fellow at the representatives and public officials in 141 economies. Center for International and Comparative Law at Duke Global contributors are organizations that have completed University. Dahlia Khalifa led the design of the Gender multiple surveys in their various offices around the world. Law Library. Contact details for local partners are available on the Women, Business and the Law website at: http://wbl.world- The report team is grateful for valuable input and comments bank.org provided by Asli Demirgüç-Kunt and Aart C. Kraay, as well as other colleagues across the World Bank Group. 148 Women, Business and the Law 2012 GLOBAL CONTRIBUTORS ARGENTINA AUSTRIA AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION (ABA) SECTION OF Marcelo Aquino Julian Feichtinger INTERNATIONAL LAW BAKER & MCKENZIE, SOC. CIV. CERHA HEMPEL SPIEGELFELD HLAWATI (CHSH) ABA-UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Carina Marcela Castrillón Marta Königstorfer (UNDP) INTERNATIONAL LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER ESTUDIO BULLO-TASSI-ESTEBENET-LIPERA-TORASSA (ILRC) ABOGADOS Valerie Kramer EMPLOYMENT LAW ALLIANCE (ELA) Graciela De Oto Walter J. Pfeil FUNDACIÓN SUMA VERITAS UNIVERSITY OF SALZBURG ALBANIA Rodrigo Fermín García AZERBAIJAN Mirela Arqimandriti MARVAL O’FARRELL & MAIRAL Aliagha Akhundov GENDER ALLIANCE FOR DEVELOPMENT CENTER BAKER & MCKENZIE - María Girard Sokol Elmazaj CIS, LTD MARVAL O’FARRELL & MAIRAL BOGA & ASSOCIATES Sevinj Aliyeva Jorge Grispo Emel Haxhillari GRATA LAW FIRM ESTUDIO GRISPO & ASOCIADOS KALO AND ASSOCIATES Fuad Karimov Celia Hofman Sabina Lalaj KERMUR SPECIALIZED BUREAU OF ADVOCATES BOGA & ASSOCIATES Diego Sebastián Kelly MARVAL O’FARRELL & MAIRAL BANGLADESH Arben Lena Ishrat Ahmed LENA & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM Nelly Dora Louzan AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES Erion Lena Carlos Marín Rodríguez Tania Amir LENA & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM ESTUDIO BULLO-TASSI-ESTEBENET-LIPERA-TORASSA AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES ABOGADOS Aida Lico Sultana Nasrin LENA & ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM Mariana Medina AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES ESTUDIO GRISPO & ASOCIADOS Aigest Milo Eva Quasem KALO AND ASSOCIATES Marta Susana Solimano AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES Artila Rama Enrique Mariano Stile Nabila Raï¬?que BOGA & ASSOCIATES MARVAL O’FARRELL & MAIRAL AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES ALGERIA María Victoria Tarzian ESTUDIO BULLO-TASSI-ESTEBENET-LIPERA-TORASSA BELARUS Radia Abdous ABOGADOS Tatiana Aleksnina GHELLAL & MEKERBA CERHA HEMPEL SPIEGELFELD HLAWATI (CHSH) Kahina Azouaou Gustavo Torassa ESTUDIO BULLO-TASSI-ESTEBENET-LIPERA-TORASSA Sergei Makarchuk ORDRE DES AVOCATS D’ALGER ABOGADOS CERHA HEMPEL SPIEGELFELD HLAWATI (CHSH) Abdel Hamid Azouaou Oksana Puchkovskaya ORDRE DES AVOCATS D’ALGER ARMENIA STEPANOVSKI, PAPAKUL AND PARTNERS, LLC Liana Voskerchyan Yasmina Taya GRIGORYAN & PARTNERS Natalia Ulasevich SAVOIR ET VOULOIR ENTREPRENDRE (SEVE) LAW FIRM GLIMSTEDT AUSTRALIA Eugenia Urodnich ANGOLA Miles Bastick LAW FIRM GLIMSTEDT Teresinha Lopes FREEHILLS FBL ADVOGADOS Liliya Vlasova Alistair Carmichael VLASOVA, MIKHEL & PARTNERS Maria Jose Teixeira FREEHILLS Darya Zhuk Rena Christmann LAW FIRM GLIMSTEDT FREEHILLS BELGIUM Noeline Rudland Ian Forrester WILLIAM DEANE CHAMBERS WHITE & CASE LLP Jane Wright Caroline Kindermans FREEHILLS WHITE & CASE LLP Acknowledgments Women, Business and the Law 2012 149 BENIN BOTSWANA CAMBODIA Evelyne Ahouadi ARMSTRONGS ATTORNEYS NOTARIES & CONVEYANCERS THE CAMBODIAN CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS Dénagnon Atindehou Bonolo Ramadi Dinokopila Jay Cohen UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA KELVIN CHIA PARTNERSHIP Martin B. Bakinde DIRECTION GÉNÉRALE DU TRAVAIL BRAZIL Rina Ing KELVIN CHIA PARTNERSHIP Cristel Akofa Gomez Andrea Bucharles CABINET GOMEZ & HERMÈS DEMAREST E ALMEIDA SOCIEDADE DE ADVOGADOS Sophal Kea CAMBODIAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT Elvire Vignon Leticia Calderaro Batista ASSOCIATION (ADHOC) CABINET D’AVOCATS VIGNON SERPA E MARTINS ADVOGADOS Chan Krisna Sawada Vilma Kutomi BOLIVIA CAMBODIAN HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT DEMAREST E ALMEIDA SOCIEDADE DE ADVOGADOS M. Carolina Aguirre U. ASSOCIATION (ADHOC) BUFETE AGUIRRE SOC. CIV. Karen Stein Leung Seng DEMAREST E ALMEIDA SOCIEDADE DE ADVOGADOS Karina Bejarano Abrego KELVIN CHIA PARTNERSHIP SALAZAR, SALAZAR & ASOCIADOS SOC. CIV. Naomy Christiani Takara CAMEROON Andrea Bollmann Duarte BULGARIA Kari Abdoul Bagui SALAZAR, SALAZAR & ASOCIADOS SOC. CIV. CABINET ABDOUL BAGUI Boris Georgiev Primitivo Gutiérrez Sánchez LAW OFFICE NOVA JUS Roland Abeng GUEVARA & GUTIÉRREZ SERVICIOS LEGALES SOC. CIV. THE ABENG LAW FIRM-CAMEROON BURKINA FASO Julio César Landívar Castro Abdoulaye Soma Thérèse Blondine Bepieck GUEVARA & GUTIÉRREZ SERVICIOS LEGALES SOC. CIV. INSTITUT POUR LA GOUVERNANCE ET LE DÉVELOPPEMENT CABINET NININE AVOCATS AU BARREAU DU CAMEROUN Milenka Saavedra M. (CLINIQUE JURIDIQUE DE L’IGD) François Boukop BUFETE AGUIRRE SOC. CIV. CABINET NININE AVOCATS AU BARREAU DU CAMEROUN BURUNDI Lorena Salazar Machicado Julien Bareguwera Aleine Djessi Ndine ép. Zibi Nsoe SALAZAR, SALAZAR & ASOCIADOS SOC. CIV. L’ASSOCIATION CAMEROUNAISE DES FEMMES JURISTES Didace Ndikumana (ACAFEJ) Sandra Salinas BARREAU DE BUJUMBURA-BURUNDI AND MKONO & CO. C.R.& F. ROJAS-ABOGADOS BURUNDI Jouvencel Florine Fouth CABINET NININE AVOCATS AU BARREAU DU CAMEROUN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Spès Ndironkeye Dunja Arnaut ASSOCIATION DES JURISTES CATHOLIQUES DU BURUNDI Désiré Makondo ATTORNEY OFFICE SPAHO DM & PARTNERS Lambert Nigarura Suvad Baki CABINET D’AVOCATS D’AFFAIRES MKONO & CO. 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Hirschfeld Precious Chakasikwa EMPLOYMENT LAW ALLIANCE (ELA), CURIALE VIETNAM KANTOR AND IMMERMAN HIRSCHFELD KRAEMER LLP Thu Vu Anh Tarisai Mutangi MAYER BROWN JSM Demian McGarry DONSA-NKOMO & MUTANGI ATTORNEYS THE CARLBERG LAW FIRM Thi Hien Bui Moses Nkomo KELVIN CHIA PARTNERSHIP Elena Paraskevas-Thadani DONSA-NKOMO & MUTANGI ATTORNEYS LITTLER MENDELSON Gregory Crovo Thobekile Sithole KELVIN CHIA PARTNERSHIP Dana Sandlin KANTOR AND IMMERMAN ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, LLC Thierry Gougy Nyasha Timba DFDL MEKONG KANTOR AND IMMERMAN Dao Nguyen MAYER BROWN JSM Thanh Nguyen Tran DFDL MEKONG Benjamin Yap KELVIN CHIA PARTNERSHIP Acknowledgments Women, Business and the Law 2012 159 160 Women, Business and the Law 2012 Women, Business and the Law 2012 examines laws and regulations affecting women’s prospects as entrepreneurs and employees. The report’s quantitative indicators are intended to inform policy discussions and research on how to improve women’s economic inclusion. wbl.worldbank.org