Global Poverty is Sexist

Yesterday was International Women’s Day.

This is a day for celebration of achievements by women, but also a day for us to examine where we still need change. This whole month is Women’s history month, and while I think it’s very important for us to acknowledge the women that have paved the way for us, we cannot lose focus of the important issues that still hinder us. This month I’ll be writing about some of those issues.

Today, I’m supporting Social Good Moms and the ONE Campaign. The ONE Campaign recently released a report entitled: Poverty is Sexist: Why girls and women must be at the heart of the fight to end extreme poverty. The report highlights the ways women and girls continue to be marginalized around the world, particularly in developing countries, through cultural traditions and sexist policies.

“It’s about time we refocused the development agenda on gender equity as a smart means of unleashing the potential for human, social, political and economic development everywhere,” says Dr Sipho S. Moyo, ONE Africa’s Executive Director. “This being the African Union Year of Women Empowerment, it is our opportunity to seize and promote the advancement of humankind by insisting on policy interventions by our African governments that promote and ensure equal opportunities for women and girls, especially in the poorest countries.

Global Poverty is Sexist

In developing countries, the gender gap is significant. Many women cannot read, they work vulnerable jobs if they have a job, they do not have their own bank accounts or financial stability, just to name a few things.

“When it comes to poverty, everyone suffers — women and men, girls and boys,” says Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook. “But the crushing blow of poverty often falls heavier on females due to the stereotypes and legal shortcomings that stack the deck against them in so many nations.”

Fixing these situations would greatly increase the prosperity of these countries. This is proven by data that shows that when women and girls are equally employed, an additional $1.7 trillion goes into the economy.

[Tweet “when women and girls are equally employed, an additional $1.7 trillion goes into the economy. end #sexism #globalpoverty via @katbiggie”]

What Can You Do to Help?

1. Sign ONE’s campaign to stand up for women and girls everywhere.
2. Join us for an International Women’s Day Twitter chat with Global Impact on March 13 at 1:00 PM EST. Use hashtag: #HerDAY2015.
3. Stand up for transparency and help empower women living in poverty with our partner Oxfam America.
4. Donate to BRAC to help women rebuild their lives from the bottom up.

“Poverty is sexist: I see it all the time, too often women and girls are worst hit by poverty and left to carry its burdens, says President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. “But investing in them is also so often the solution. So let’s deliver for women because women deliver.”