Tuesday was International Women's Day, and today is our last day to celebrate it by highlighting facts about women and girls around the globe, their issues, and organizations that address those issues.
Making sure that women participate as equal partners in the economy of any country has proven to be a path to economic growth. Yet, women across the world are still economically disadvantaged. Here are some statistics:
- Where women's particpation in the labor force grew the fastest, the economy experienced the largest reduction in poverty rates. (USAToday)
- Seventy-five percent of women worldwide cannot get bank loans because they have unpaid or insecure jobs and do not own property. (USAToday)
- Only one percent of the world's women own land. (USAToday)
Gilian Gaynair, of ICRW (International Center for Research on Women), says in her article, Invest in a Woman - Grow the Economy:
"An economically-empowered woman has more control over her life. She's more confident; she knows she can rely on herself to make sound decisions She has more bargaining power with her husband on such matters as when to have children. She's better able to protect herself from violence and disease. She has options."
Malinda Gates, writing in USAToday, said:
"In two research studies in Kenya and the Philippines, women benefitted more than men from savings accounts. That's because savings gave them new financial freedom. In the Philippines, researchers found that women with savings accounts had more of a say in how the family's money should be spent. Typically, they invest more in things like education, and family planning."
Help women succeed economically by supporting one or more of these organizations:
- Opportunity International - Provides microfinance loans, savings, insurance and training to over two million people working their way out of poverty in the developing world.
- Vital Voices - Vital Voices Global Partnership is the preeminent non-governmental organization (NGO) that identifies, trains and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world for us all.
- P.A.C.E. - This progam of Gap, Inc, won The Financial Times Justmeans Social Innovation 2009 award and helps female garment workers in developing countries advance beyond entry-level positions and fulfill their potential through education. A great example of corporate social responsibility.
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - The Gates Foundation works in so many areas, but many directly affect women's economic security in developing countries.
Kiva - Through Kiva you can help provide a micro-loan to a entrepreneur in a developing country, many of whom are women.
How are you celebrating International Women's Day? What organizations do you support that help further the economic well being of girls and women? Let us know in the comments.
Related:
- International Women's Day: Preventing Early Marriage and Promoting Girls' Health
- Celebrate International Women's Day by Educating a Girl
- International Women's Day: Women Fighting Poverty
- Choose Mentorship to Celebrate International Women's Day
- Investing In Women & Girls - A special supplement to USA Today.
- Women Deliver 100: The Most Inspiring People Delivering for Girls and Women
Photo Courtesy of Opportunity International
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