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International Women's Day – March 8^th

Economic Growth

USAID helped Ecuador’s María Isabel Coral secure a market-rate loan for her store. Photo: Jorge Vinueza

“Forget China, India and the internet: economic growth is driven by women.”

—The Economist
“Women in the workforce: The importance of sex”
April 12, 2006

Over 800 million women are economically active worldwide, undertaking critical roles in industry, agriculture, manufacturing and services, and as producers, traders, owners and operators of small- and micro-enterprises.Throughout the developing world, women are vital economic players, representing a larger percentage of the work force than ever before. Support for expanding women’s economic opportunities will yield economic gains for women, households and the economy.

This woman’s vegetables provide income and healthy food for her family in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: UNICEF / HQ05-2192 / Giacomo Pirozzi

The United States was among the first donors to acknowledge that increasing economic opportunities for women in developing countries is essential to spurring growth and reducing poverty. Both women and men have talents and drive that can help their countries succeed. But in many places around the world, women still face legal and practical barriers that limit their access to property, markets, technology and services.

A woman from Mozambique shares agricultural practices she learned through a USAID program.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, women produce 60 to 80 percent of the food in developing countries. Increasing their property and other legal rights can boost agricultural productivity and reduce hunger. Micro and small entrepreneurs—many of whom are poor women— need greater opportunities to access global markets and more reliable sources for financing. Better roads, more accessible water and more affordable communications can help overcome the isolation and lack of time that hold women back from increasing their incomes.

U.S. foreign assistance is committed to increasing economic opportunity for the poor, especially for poor women.

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