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Why Women?
“Equality for women and girls is � a social and economic imperative. Where women are educated and empowered, economies are more productive and strong. Where women are fully represented, societies are more peaceful and stable.” -Ban Ki-Moon, U.N. Secretary General Funding Women is Smart Economics There's no shortage of sobering statistics that present a strong moral case for funding women - for example, women produce nearly 80% of the world's food, but receive less than 10% of agricultural assistance, and a staggering 70% of those living in abject poverty are women. The business case for funding women has now been well documented and statistically well represented. In the words of The Economist: “Forget China, India and the internet: economic growth is driven by women.” -The Economist The World Bank echoes that sentiment, verifying that women play a crucial role helping communities escape poverty: “When you educate a woman, you educate a family, give a women health care and a family has health care. An economically secure women means an economically secure family.” -World Bank Evidence shows that when women are the direct users of credit and have greater control over family funds, household welfare increases and more resources are allocated to food and children's healthcare and education. The World Bank's Mayra Buvinic and Elizabeth M. King say it clearly: for women, their families and communities, this is smart economics. For the first time in history, women are funding women in greater numbers and at significant levels - millions of dollars. As novelist Harriet Beecher Stowe once said: "Women are the real architects of society." Let's continue to shift economic power into the hands of the builders - fund women first. Secure your place in history by joining with women who are moving millions.
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