Data and policies for equality: an agreement Bocconi-World Bank

Gender equality is not just a matter of rights: it is a driver of economic growth and social development. Numerous studies show that greater female participation in the labor market and decision-making processes contributes to more equitable societies and more resilient economies. But closing the gaps requires effective policies and, above all, tools capable of assessing their real impact.

It is with this in mind that the new collaboration between Bocconi's AXA Research Lab on Gender Equality and the World Bank's ECA Gender Innovation Lab is born. The Memorandum of Understanding just signed provides for close scientific cooperation to study and measure gender inequalities and the effectiveness of public policies in Europe and Central Asia.

The AXA Bocconi lab, directed by Paola Profeta, Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability, has established itself in recent years as an international reference point in the empirical study of gender gaps, from political careers to corporate leadership. The ECA Gender Innovation Lab, in turn, brings with it the World Bank's experience in experimental field projects, with the aim of generating concrete evidence to guide government decisions.

“This partnership represents an important step in connecting academic research with public policy,” Profeta underlines. “Working with the World Bank will allow us to rigorously evaluate the effects of innovative policies on gender equality and to disseminate best practices internationally. It is an opportunity to bring the voice of Italian research into a global network, contributing to more effective and inclusive decisions.”

The new Bocconi-World Bank partnership includes joint projects, exchanges of data and methodologies, as well as workshops and seminars with scholars and policy makers. It is another step toward transforming research into concrete tools for change.