As the world marks International Women’s Day, many leaders talk about empowering women and girls. However, the article argues that these discussions often wrongly present investment in women as an act of charity. In reality, investing in women is a necessary strategy for economic growth, fairness, and social progress, especially in Africa.
Research shows that women reinvest up to 90% of their income into their families and communities, improving education, health, and living conditions for future generations. According to the McKinsey Global Institute, increasing women’s participation in the economy could add about $13 trillion to the global economy.
Despite this, funding for gender equality remains far too low. UN Women estimates that developing countries face a yearly funding gap of about $420 billion needed to achieve gender equality. This means many programs that support women and girls remain underfunded.
Some countries have shown positive results when they invest in women. For example, Zambia launched the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Project (GEWEL), helping girls stay in school and supporting women entrepreneurs with training and funding. Programs like this demonstrate how targeted investment can transform lives and strengthen communities.
Experts also warn about the cost of ignoring these issues. The United Nations Population Fund estimates that gender-based violence costs the global economy around $5 trillion every year. Studies from the International Monetary Fund also show that higher levels of violence against women reduce economic activity.
The message is clear: supporting women and girls is not about generosity. It is about building stronger economies, healthier communities, and a more just society.
Source: TRT Africa
