The United Nations has issued a compelling call to action, emphasizing that significant investment in women is essential for accelerating economic growth and fostering more equitable societies worldwide.
“This year’s theme—invest in women—reminds us that ending the patriarchy requires money on the table,” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated on the eve of International Women’s Day. He underscored the urgent need for financial mechanisms dedicated to supporting women and girls globally.
UN Women estimates that developing countries require an additional $360 billion annually to close the gender gap outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. “This all depends on unlocking finance for sustainable development,” Guterres highlighted, pointing to the critical role of funding in ending violence against women and promoting their inclusion across various sectors.
Closing the credit gap for female-owned enterprises could potentially boost annual incomes by 12 percent by 2030, according to UN Women. Despite women’s significant presence in the workforce, they often face barriers to owning essential resources such as land and technology, which hampers entrepreneurship and job opportunities.
Gender disparities, particularly in earnings, have profound economic impacts, costing more than twice the value of global GDP in human capital wealth. Nearly 60 percent of women’s employment worldwide is informal, with persistent pay gaps across different demographics.
UN Women also highlighted that violence, conflict, and economic disparities pose significant threats to women’s security and economic participation. The global cost of violence against women is estimated at $1.5 trillion.
The agency stressed the importance of gender-responsive social protection systems, such as cash transfers, in reducing mortality rates among women and enhancing their security and economic empowerment. It urged stakeholders to challenge social norms that undermine women’s economic contributions and to amplify their voices in decision-making processes.
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UN highlights need for investment in women's economic empowerment
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