This report brings together regional evidence to inform policy dialogue and program design on gender equality in Western and Central Africa. The document examines how laws and related frameworks affect sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), protection from gender-based violence (GBV), and girls’ continued access to education in Western and Central Africa. Drawing on legal diagnostics, operational experience, and implementation lessons, it examines how laws and related frameworks affect sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), protection from gender-based violence (GBV), and girls’ continued access to education. The focus is on how these factors shape human capital outcomes, with the aim of supporting World Bank engagement under its Africa West portfolio and contributing to the global evidence base on gender equality.
The analysis is grounded in the World Bank Group’s Gender Strategy for 2024–2030, which marks a shift in priorities. For the first time, ending gender-based violence is treated as a standalone development objective, rather than a sub-issue, reflecting its central role in development outcomes. The strategy also places stronger emphasis on human capital and tracks results through specific indicators, including access to SRHR services and actions to prevent GBV. These priorities frame the report’s examination of laws and policies affecting women and girls across the life cycle.
A central finding is that legal reform, while necessary, is often incomplete or weakly enforced. In the case of female genital mutilation (FGM), many countries have criminalized the practice, but gaps remain in who can be held legally responsible and how laws are applied. Some countries do not penalize those who perform FGM, few hold parents or guardians accountable, and only a handful address cross-border practices. Similar gaps appear in SRHR service delivery, where none of the countries studied legally guarantee uninterrupted services when providers refuse care on moral or religious grounds.
The report also highlights more encouraging developments, particularly in education. Several countries have adopted laws that protect girls’ right to stay in school during pregnancy and motherhood, reinforcing the principle that pregnancy should not be grounds for exclusion. However, the report stresses the difference between laws and “supportive frameworks,” such as strategies, guidelines, and sector policies. While many countries have such frameworks in areas like SRHR and education, uneven coverage and weak implementation often limit their real-world impact.
Finally, lessons from the SWEDD and SWEDD+ programs show that laws alone do not change outcomes. Meaningful progress happens when legal reforms are paired with clear service guarantees, practical guidance, and sustained investment in institutions and delivery systems. When these elements come together, they can accelerate gains in GBV prevention, access to SRHR, and girls’ education, strengthening human capital overall. These lessons have direct implications for how future World Bank financing and regional initiatives are designed and implemented.