By Danielle Johnson
On March 8th we celebrated International Women’s Day, commemorating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future, all while reflecting on the inequities which still demand change.
On this day, over 30 influential women, including Sheryl Sandberg, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Meryl Streep and Angelique Kidjo, signed ONE’s open letter to call attention to women’s rights issues, declaring that “poverty is sexist”. Putting women at the heart of change, they claim, is the key to addressing poverty and inequality.
Did you know that women earn only 10% of the world’s income and own less than 1% of the world’s property? That women work two thirds of the world’s working hours and produce half the world’s food? Or that if female farmers had equal access to productive resources, up to 150 million people would be saved from a life of chronic hunger?
Simply put, being born female is the world’s poorest countries mean life will be harder. Men and boys in poor countries are also clearly disadvantaged, yet ONE’s report, entitled Poverty is Sexist, found the gender gap between males and females to be the largest in poor countries:
- Almost half the world’s maternal deaths occur amongst the 13% of the world’s poorest women living in least developed countries. A woman in Sierra Leone is 183 times more likely to die in childbirth than a woman in Switzerland.
- Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate population is female.
- In sub-Saharan Africa, 86% of women remain stuck in vulnerable employment.
- 39,000 girls under the age of 18 become child brides every day.
- Only 20% of poor girls living in rural Africa complete primary education.
These statistics are stacked even higher against the girls and women living in Niger, the world’s poorest country. WBH recognizes and supports their incredible potential – realizing that the women and girls of Niger are all powerful catalysts for change. Our wells bring health, sanitation and hope to entire communities. Women and girls, in particular, are empowered through our long term support programs. Without having to fetch water, girls are able to attend school. Women can work productively and receive critical microfinance support. We even ensure women are given a seat on the committees which are responsible for well maintenance and for encouraging healthy habits within their villages, affording them an opportunity to become leaders within their communities.
Unleashing the full potential of women and girls will not only transform their lives, but remains a key element to ending extreme poverty once and for all. When we invest in women and girls, everyone benefits.
